12.3.2  Nutritional care of HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women

A woman’s nutritional status during pregnancy influences the risk of maternal to child transmission of HIV (MTCT) as well as their pregnancy outcomes (see Figure 12.4). A mother can transmit HIV to her infant during pregnancy and delivery or through breastfeeding, but most infants of HIV-positive mothers do not become infected. In deliveries where no interventions are used to reduce transmission, about 5-10% of infants are infected during pregnancy, 10-20% during labour and delivery, and 5-20% during breastfeeding if the child is breastfed.

Figure 12.4  A mother’s nutritional status is also important for her infant. (Photo: UNICEF Ethiopia / Indrias Getachew)

Working in the community you should have the opportunity to look after women who have HIV during their pregnancies. In order to give them and their new babies optimal care you should follow the same procedure you learnt in Study Session 5 for assessing the nutritional status of HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women. You should also counsel them on the seven ways to maintain their strength that you have just learnt about.

You will be able to stress to the women the importance of them attending ANC services, delivering in a health facility, and follow-up care to reduce the possibility of transmitting HIV to their babies.