Counsellors' perspectives on antenatal HIV testing and infant feeding dilemmas facing women with HIV in northern Tanzania

Abstract

This study investigated the infant feeding advice that counsellors were giving HIV-infected pregnant women in Moshi, Tanzania, the factors they thought had an impact on women's infant feeding choices and their role in influencing these decisions. The data are drawn from in-depth interviews with 16 nurses working as counsellors in their spare time in an antenatal trial of prevention of mother-to-child transmission, five local HIV/AIDS counsellors and two medical doctors, whose counselling experience ranged from less than six months to nine years. Informed choice of infant feeding method by HIV-infected women, as recommended by UNAIDS/WHO/UNICEF Guidelines, was seriously compromised by the actual advice given, directive counselling, lack of time to cope with a positive HIV test result, and lack of follow-up support, regardless of socio-economic status. Infant feeding options were not always accurately explained, but counsellors believed most women had little choice but to breastfeed and were unlikely to exclusively breastfeed, despite advice. It was apparent that the risks and benefits of the options open to HIV-infected women were complicated for the counsellors, not only the women. Counsellors needed additional training in non-directive counselling and infant feeding options to ensure a better quality of advice-giving and support to follow-up women at home.