Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV during pregnancy and breastfeeding among women in Coast Province, Kenya

This study aims to describe the sexual and reproductive health of pregnant and postpartum women with HIV and investigate determinants of sexual and reproductive health in these women. Specifically, the study is designed to determine the effects of family planning counselling and contraceptive methods; length of postpartum abstinence; uptake of postpartum care; disclosure of HIV status; sexual violence; patterns of alcohol use; and infant feeding practices on the sexual and reproductive health of women in the year following childbirh.

 

Quantitative measures will be utilized to investigate the relationship between several exposures and the sexual and reproductive health of women with HIV during the postpartum period. In addition, qualitative research methods will be used to explore women's attitudes and behaviours, especially concerning their childbearing and sexual health.
Standard methodology will be used to assess the acceptability, safety and effectiveness of complex highly-effective antiretroviral regimens for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in resource-constrained settings.
Where appropriate, efforts will be made to involve male partners in research activities. Given that male involvement in sexual and reproductive health services is generally low, data collection methods better suited to smaller numbers of participants will be applied, for example focus groups or in depth interviews.

 

Profound insights in the determinants of sexual and reproductive health of women with HIV in the year following childbirth
Identification of factors affecting uptake of HIV-related interventions during pregnance, childbirth and the postpartum period
Assessment of the effectiveness and safety of triple antiretroviral drug regimens for the prevention of HIV infection among women in Mombasa, Kenya.