Browsing by Author "Mathebula, Florence"

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    Ask the Way From Those Who Have Walked It Before – Grandmothers’ Roles in Health-related Decision Making and HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use Among Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Africa
    (Research Square, 2021) Reddy, Krishnaveni; Kemigisha, Doreen; Chitukuta, Miria; Dadabhai, Sufia; Mathebula, Florence; Tenza, Siyanda; Palanee-Phillips, Thesla; Ryan, Julia; van der Straten, Ariane; Musara, Petina; Macagna, Nicole; Ryan, Julia
    HIV acquisition among pregnant and breastfeeding women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and vertical transmission rates remain high despite established strategies for HIV prevention. Methods: We explored grandmothers’ (mothers/mothers-in-law) influence on pregnant and breastfeeding women’s health-related decisions and their potential to support use of HIV prevention products utilizing qualitative data collected from grandmothers, HIV-uninfected, currently/recently pregnant or breastfeeding women and male partners of currently/recently pregnant or breastfeeding women during the MTN-041/MAMMA study. Results: Grandmothers were described as important sources of information, playing both supportive and influencer roles, due to personal maternal experience and generational knowledge. Grandmothers expressed willingness to support pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use and agreed with other groups that this decision should be made by women themselves and/or with partners. Conclusion: With the right framing and approach, grandmothers’ supportive roles can optimise uptake and adherence to biomedical HIV prevention and reduce HIV acquisition among pregnant and breastfeeding women in these communities.