Infant Feeding Decisions for HIV-Positive African Women

African women living in the UK are faced with conflicting information around infant feeding when HIV-positive. National medical guidelines recommend that HIV-positive women abstain from breastfeeding in order to prevent transmission however cultural influences pressure these women to breastfeed. There is especially a concern with inadvertently disclosing one's HIV status through choosing to formula feed. Providers can assist with this difficult situation by assisting with the cost of formula and supporting the women emotionally and with their families.

 

Citation:
Tariq S, Elford J, Tookey P, Anderson J, de Ruiter A, O'Connell R, Pillen A. "It pains me because as a woman you have to breastfeed your baby": decision-making about infant feeding among African women living with HIV in the UK. Sex Transm Infect. 2016 Jan 12. pii: sextrans-2015-052224.

 

Abstract

Original Article (subscription may be required)