Reddy, KrishnaveniKemigisha, DoreenChitukuta, MiriaDadabhai, SufiaMathebula, FlorenceTenza, SiyandaPalanee-Phillips, TheslaRyan, Juliavan der Straten, ArianeMusara, PetinaMacagna, NicoleRyan, Julia2022-03-072022-03-072021Reddy, K., Kemigisha, D., Chitukuta, M., Dadabhai, S., Mathebula, F., Tenza, S., ... & van der Straten, A. (2021). 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.https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-459256/v1https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-459256/v1https://nru.uncst.go.ug/xmlui/handle/123456789/2503HIV 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.enHIV acquisitionpregnant and breastfeeding womensub-Saharan AfricaArticle