Barriers to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers in sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review of counselling, socioeconomic and cultural factors

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) homes most of the people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. Adolescents/young people are a vulnerable population and at high risk of HIV infection. Identifying and bridging the research gaps on the disclosure of HIV-positive status among adolescents, particularly to their sexual partners, is essential to inform appropriate policy planning and implementation towards preventing HIV transmission. This study will aim to explore literature and describe the evidence on HIV-positive status disclosure among adolescents in SSA. Methods The framework provided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and improved by Levac and colleagues will be used to conduct a scoping review. A keyword search for relevant literature presenting evidence on HIV-positive status disclosure among adolescents in SSA will be conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS. Date limitations will be removed, but Boolean terms “AND” and “OR” as well as Medical Subject Headings terms will be included where possible and syntax modified to suit the database during the search. Additional relevant articles will be sought from the reference lists of all included studies using a snowballing method. Two reviewers will independently screen the articles at the abstract and full-text screening phases in order to reduce bias and improve the reliability of this study’s findings. A tabular form will be developed using Microsoft Word and piloted for data extraction. Thematic content analysis will be conducted, and a narrative summary of all relevant outcomes reported. Quality appraisal of the included studies for this proposed study will be performed utilizing the recent mixed methods appraisal tool. Discussion The evidence produced by this review may help inform policy and strategies to reduce the incidence of HIV infection among adolescents and improve social support for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in SSA. It may also reveal literature gaps to guide future researches to further inform HIV policies for adolescents in SSA. Platforms such as peer review journals, policy briefs, and conferences will be used to disseminate this study’s findings.

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The impact of breastfeeding on the health of HIV-positive mothers and their children in sub-Saharan Africa

Bulletin of the World Health Organization ◽

10.2471/blt.05.027664 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 84 (07) ◽

pp. 546-554 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Taha Taha

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Hiv Positive Mothers ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Impact

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The experiences of HIV-positive and HIV-negative children after receiving disclosure of their own and their parents’ illnesses, respectively

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1328 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Grace Gachanja

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Hiv Positive Mothers ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Hiv Negative

The aim of this research brief is to describe a study that sought to understand the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive and negative children after they received disclosure of their own and their parents’ illnesses, respectively. This is the first study from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that describes the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive and negative children in one study. Prior studies in SSA have mostly centered on the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive children after receiving disclosure of their own illnesses, or HIV-positive mothers’ descriptions of the effect of maternal disclosure on their HIV-negative children.

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Knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV-positive mothers regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding at a regional hospital in the north east of Namibia

African Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ahs.v21i3.15 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Opotamutale Ashipala ◽

Getruida Shikukumwa ◽

Medusalem Hangula Joel

Keyword(s):

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

North East ◽

Hiv Positive Mothers ◽

Mother To Child ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, over 1,000 newborns are infected with HIV every day, despite available medical in- terventions. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) remains one of the primary sources of HIV infection in children and without interventions 40% of babies born from HIV-positive mothers would be infected with the virus. It is estimated that 300 000 children become infected with HIV worldwide, whilst 1.5 million children die when their mothers opt for other choices instead of breastfeeding. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess and describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV-positive mothers regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Kavango East Region in Namibia. Method: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey that used convenience sampling, as the researcher sought to use subjects available during the time of study to select 79 HIV positive mothers. Results: Participants in this study (94%; n=51) had good knowledge of the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding and that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child. The results confirmed that (77.2%; n=42) of the mothers opted to take ART with the babies until they stop breastfeeding. Conclusion: HIV positive mothers had good knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the benefits of exclusive breast- feeding. A significant number of mothers were, however, not sure about breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months as they would stop if offered free formula milk for the baby. Support by the fathers and others in the community is vital. Keywords: Knowledge; HIV; breastfeeding; attitudes; practices; HIV-positive mothers; Namibia.

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The experiences of HIV-positive and HIV-negative children after receiving disclosure of their own and their parents’ illnesses, respectively

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1328v1 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Grace Gachanja

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Hiv Positive Mothers ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Hiv Negative

The aim of this research brief is to describe a study that sought to understand the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive and negative children after they received disclosure of their own and their parents’ illnesses, respectively. This is the first study from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that describes the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive and negative children in one study. Prior studies in SSA have mostly centered on the post-disclosure experiences of HIV-positive children after receiving disclosure of their own illnesses, or HIV-positive mothers’ descriptions of the effect of maternal disclosure on their HIV-negative children.

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Barriers and facilitators for early and exclusive breastfeeding in health facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Global Health Research and Policy ◽

10.1186/s41256-021-00206-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mai-Lei Woo Kinshella ◽

Sarina Prasad ◽

Tamanda Hiwa ◽

Marianne Vidler ◽

Alinane Linda Nyondo-Mipando ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Facility ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Respectful Maternity Care ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Breastfeeding Practices ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Facility Births

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionate burden of under-five child deaths in the world and appropriate breastfeeding practices can support efforts to reduce child mortality rates. Health facilities are important in the promotion of early and exclusive breastfeeding. The purpose of this review was to examine facility-based barriers and facilitators to early and exclusive breastfeeding in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods A systematic search was conducted on Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, African Journals Online and African Index Medicus from database inception to April 29, 2021 and primary research studies on breastfeeding practices in health facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa were included in the review. We assessed qualitative studies with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist and quantitative studies using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute tool. The review protocol was registered to Prospero prior to conducting the review (CRD42020167414). Results Of the 56 included studies, relatively few described health facility infrastructure and supplies-related issues (5, 11%) while caregiver factors were frequently described (35, 74%). Facility-based breastfeeding policies and guidelines were frequently available but challenged by implementation gaps, especially at lower health service levels. Facilitators included positive caregiver and health worker attitudes, knowledge and support during the postpartum period. Current studies have focused on caregiver factors, particularly around their knowledge and attitudes, while health facility infrastructure and supplies factors appear to be growing concerns, such as overcrowding and lack of privacy during breastfeeding counselling that lowers the openness and comfort of mothers especially those HIV-positive. Conclusion There has been a dramatic rise in rates of facility births in Sub-Saharan Africa, which must be taken into account when considering the capacities of health facilities to support breastfeeding practices. As the number of facility births rise in Sub-Saharan Africa, so does the responsibility of skilled healthcare workers to provide the necessary breastfeeding support and advice to caregivers. Our review highlighted that health facility infrastructure, supplies and staffing appears to be a neglected area in breastfeeding promotion and a need to strengthen respectful maternity care in the delivery of breastfeeding counselling, particularly in supporting HIV-positive mothers within the context of Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Unintended Pregnancies Among HIV Positive Women In Sub Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review Protocol

10.21203/rs.3.rs-970739/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Oguntade Racheal Tomilola ◽

Ojewole Elizabeth Bolanle ◽

Ogunrombi Modupe Olufunmi

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Well Being ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

World Health ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Unintended Pregnancies ◽

Hiv Positive Women ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background: Unintended pregnancies pose a severe threat to the well-being of HIV-positive women and their unborn children. Factors contributing to the high incidence of unintended pregnancies include contraceptive failure, low uptake of contraceptives, and misuse of contraceptives. Despite various contraceptive options, an increased incidence of unintended pregnancies is rampant among HIV-positive women in the region of sub-Saharan Africa. This study seeks to present evidence of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, including those using contraceptives.Method: This study entails a scoping review to survey and interrogate the literature to provide evidence for the incidence of unintended pregnancies among HIV-positive women in sub-Saharan Africa. A proposed framework by Arksey and O'Malley will guide this scoping review. Peer-reviewed articles which address the research questions will constitute the main search. Electronic databases such as EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library, World of Science, World Health Organization (WHO) library databases, Science Direct, Google Scholar PubMed, and grey literature search will be involved. References list from studies included will also be searched. The investigation of articles will be done employing keywords from the studies included. The inclusion and exclusion criteria will guide two separate reviewers with the screening of abstracts and full papers. To summarize the findings from this review, thematic content analysis will be done using NVivo version 11.Discussion: We expect that this review will add to the current body of knowledge on the incidence of unintended pregnancies among HIV-positive women, identify gaps for further future research, and show evidence that may contribute to strengthening the health system's regulations, guidelines, and policies that may help prevent unintended pregnancies among HIV positive women. Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/EY3R5

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