ISSN 2736-1748
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Community beliefs and practices during pregnancy and their potential effect on HIV prevention product use in Sub-Saharan Africa
Prisca Mutero1, Alinda M. Young2,3, Julia H. Ryan2, Krishnaveni Reddy4, Doreen Kemigisha5, Daniel Gondwe6, Adlight Dandadzi1, Petina Musara1
1University of Zimbabwe – Clinical Trials Research Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe
2Women’s Global Health Imperative (WGHI) RTI International, Berkeley, CA, USA
3Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
4Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa
5Makerere University – Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
6Johns Hopkins Project-College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi.
Received July 15, 2023; Accepted October15, 2023; Published May 04, 2024
Abstract
Pregnant and breastfeeding (P/BF) women face a heightened risk of HIV acquisition and need effective HIV prevention methods. The MTN-041 study explored the potential acceptability of the dapivirine vaginal ring, and oral pre-exposure prophylaxis pills use during pregnancy and breastfeeding in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. We explored pregnancy-related practices and beliefs and their potential impact on the use of the ring and pills. Focus group discussions were conducted with P/BF women, grandmothers, male partners, as well as in-depth interviews with key informants. Results revealed that P/BF women engaged in birth preparation practices and consulted traditional/spiritual healers, traditional birth attendants and religious leaders, to promote their health, the health of the unborn baby, to ease the birthing process, and sought spiritual guidance. Participants believed these cultural beliefs and practices could have a potential effect on uptake of the ring and pills during the pregnancy and breastfeeding periods. Therefore, when implementing community roll-out strategies, it is imperative to take these practices into consideration to foster increased uptake. These insights can help tailor interventions and public health strategies to better meet the unique needs of P/BF women in the fight against HIV.
Keywords: Pregnancy, Culture Beliefs and Practices, oral PrEP, Dapivirine Vaginal Ring, HIV/AIDS.