Challenging Assumptions: Breastfeeding and HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Significant experience and research evidence regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and infant feeding have accumulated since recommendations on infant feeding in the context of HIV were last revised. This evidence has major implications for how women living with HIV might feed their infants, and how health workers should counsel these mothers.

The quality of infant feeding counselling is poor with inadequate information provided for women to make appropriate choices (Abiona et al., 2006). Infant feeding counselling, as currently implemented, does not prepare women for the challenges of adhering to their infant feeding choices. Women face new challenges in the postpartum period and ongoing community-based support and resources are important to sustain infant feeding practices.

The recommendation on infant feeding should be improved putting into consideration the social and cultural problems women go through in the community and also health workers should be well equipped not only to provide counselling but support the women through decision making and practicing of their choices.

Keywords: counseling, challenges, infant feeding

Significant experience and research evidence regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and infant feeding have accumulated since recommendations on infant feeding in the context of HIV were last revised. This evidence has major implications for how women living with HIV might feed their infants, and how health workers should counsel these mothers.

The quality of infant feeding counselling is poor with inadequate information provided for women to make appropriate choices (Abiona et al., 2006). Infant feeding counselling, as currently implemented, does not prepare women for the challenges of adhering to their infant feeding choices. Women face new challenges in the postpartum period and ongoing community-based support and resources are important to sustain infant feeding practices.

The recommendation on infant feeding should be improved putting into consideration the social and cultural problems women go through in the community and also health workers should be well equipped not only to provide counselling but support the women through decision making and practicing of their choices.

Keywords: counseling, challenges, infant feeding