Maternal and health care workers’ perceptions of the effects of exclusive breastfeeding by HIV positive mothers on maternal and infant health in Blantyre, Malawi

Abstract Objectives Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in India do not meet recommendations. Community health care workers (CHWs) are often the primary source of information for pregnant and postpartum women about Infant and Young child Feeding (IYCF) practices. While existing research has evaluated the effectiveness of content and delivery of information through CHWs, little is known about person-centric soft-skills in interpersonal communication. We analyzed the effect of high quality person-centered interactions based on respect and trust on recommended IYCF practices. Methods We use data from evaluation of an at-scale mHealth intervention in India that serves as a job aid to the CHWs and as a monitoring tool for their supervisors (N = 6635 mothers of children <12 m from 841 villages in 2 Indian states). The binary indicator variable for high-quality interaction is constructed using a set of 7 questions related to trust, respect, friendliness during these interactions. The binary outcomes variables are exclusive breastfeeding, timely introduction of complimentary feeding, and minimum diet diversity for infants. The estimation controlled for socio-economic-demographic characteristics, exposure to other health workers, number of interactions with the CHW, and other CHW services. Results Overall, 66% mothers reported exclusive breastfeeding, 69% reported timely introduction of complimentary feeding, but only 13% reported minimum dietary diversity in infant feeding. Perhaps because of the low base levels, mothers who reported higher-quality interactions were more likely to feed at least 4 food groups to infants 6–12 m (b = 0.05). Associations also existed for increased exclusive breastfeeding (b = 0.07). There was no effect on timely introduction of complimentary feeding. Conclusions Person-centered interactions with CHWs appears to be significantly associated with some behaviors around infant feeding. Focusing on improving social and soft skills of CHWs that can translate into better CHW-beneficiary interactions can pay rich dividend for certain behaviors which are currently less prevalent such as minimum dietary diversity or those which are perhaps more in mothers control such as exclusive breastfeeding. Funding Sources The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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HIV‐Positive health care workers and the obligation to disclose

Journal of Legal Medicine ◽

10.1080/01947649209510887 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 333-356 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Karen C. Lieberman ◽

Arthur R. Derse

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Positive Health ◽

Care Workers

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Ethical dilemmas in HIV infection

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association ◽

10.7547/87507315-80-1-26 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 80 (1) ◽

pp. 26-30

Author(s):

B Lo

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

General Public ◽

Access To Health Care ◽

Ethical Dilemmas ◽

Health Professions ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Aids Epidemic ◽

Care Workers ◽

Access To Health

As the AIDS epidemic continues to claim lives, the issues of testing, confidentiality, and refusal to care for seropositive patients generate increasing debate and concern among health care workers, legislators, and the general public. Protecting the uninfected from exposure to HIV, providing adequate medical care and counseling to HIV-positive persons, and preventing discrimination are necessary and immediate goals. Adherence by practitioners to both the current legislation on AIDS and the ethical imperatives of the health professions will facilitate adequate access to health care for all persons with AIDS. It will also provide necessary guidelines for issues of confidentiality.

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Tuberculosis among Health Care Workers

Journal of Clinical Review & Case Reports ◽

10.33140/jcrc.04.09.01 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (9) ◽

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Close Contact ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Bacterial Disease ◽

Infected People ◽

Care Workers ◽

Night Sweats ◽

Latent Tb

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It spreads form one person to another through air. When infected people with TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs in the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to be infected. Evidence of TB has been reported in human remains dated thousands of years. About one quarter of the world’s population has latent TB, which means TB bacteria have infected people but are not (yet) ill with the disease and therefore cannot transmit the disease. Tb occurs in specific risk groups such as immigrants, HIV-positive patients, homeless patients, prisoners, and alcoholics. Health care workers, who face frequent occupational exposure, are at particularly high risk. When a person develops active TB, the symptoms (such as cough, fever, night sweats or weight loss) may be latent for many months. This can lead to delays in seeking care and transmission of the bacteria to others. People with active TB can infect 10-15 other people through close contact over the course of the course of a year. Without treatment, 45% of HIV- negative people with TB on average and nearly all HIV- positive people with TB will die. Transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in health care settings to both patients and health care workers has been reported from virtually every country of the world, regardless of local TB incidence. We are presenting the case of an asymptomatic 28- year-old Caucasian male from Europe who initially was being screened for TB for pre-employment purposes.

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