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Exploring the feasibility of engaging Traditional Birth Attendants in a prevention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission program in Lilongwe, Malawi


QK Lippmann
I Mofolo
E Bobrow
A Maida
E Kamanga
N Pagadala
F Martinson
C van der Horst
M Hosseinipour
I Hoffman

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the willingness of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to provide single dose antiretroviral prophylaxis to infants born to mothers with HIV and the feasibility of providing the TBAs with antiretroviral medication.
Design
2 focus groups with a total of 17 registered TBAs.
Setting
Lilongwe, Malawi
Methods
TBAs were recruited by local health workers and participated in focus groups assessing their attitudes towards participation in a PMTCT program.
Results
TBAs were willing to participate in this prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) program and helped identify barriers to their participation.
Conclusions
Given appropriate support and training, TBAs’ participation in PMTCT programs could be an additional way to deliver medication to mothers and neonates who might otherwise miss crucial doses of medication.

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1995-7262
print ISSN: 1995-7270