CASE STUDIES
Precious Children
Our Progress in Preventing HIV
Mother-to-Child Transmission
Baylor scientifically develops new tools designed PEOPLE
to educate and support mothers-to-be to help them BEHAVIORS, ETC. BEFORE WE BEGAN USING IT, THE
self-manage their HIV infections and have healthy GUIDE WAS TESTED BY INTERVIEWING SEVERAL
children. BENEFICIARIES. TO ENSURE THE QUALITY OF THE
SAME
SITUATION,
infected children of the late ‘80s and ‘90s to the AND RESEARCHER IN HEALTH SERVICES EMPLOYED AT
happy parents of healthy children. THE CLAUDE BERNARD LYON UNIVERSITY.
From the “HIV generation” to the “generation of We held 203 educational meetings with 121 women
precious children,” the transition was possible through living with HIV: 40 interviews and 163 knowledge level
sharing knowledge with beneficiaries and letting assessments. In the end, there was a 28% increase
them know it is possible. And for many of those living in the knowledge level (slightly below the 30% we
with HIV, the dream of having a healthy child (or more anticipated) among the women with regard to the
than one) has come true. Where in previous decades steps they must take to prevent the transmission of
children lived in the shadow of permanent therapy
control the HIV infection, family planning, and support
to the partner.
2018
2019
Made with
FACILITATORS
RESULTS
BARRIERS
HIV to their child. The project resulted in a list of educational messages "... because the clinic staff knows what is right for me and
my pregnancy, they have more experience."
tailored to the needs of the beneficiaries. With these
new tools, Baylor hopes to increase the number of
HIV-free children in families with one or both parents
living with HIV.
The team also identified the factors that make a
infectious diseases doctor and the barriers that may
lead to delaying or even avoiding communication. In
order to facilitate their interpretation, three categories
of each have been established.
HELPS TO IDENTIFY BEHAVIORAL DETERMINANTS OF *Women living with HIV are provided access to
WHETHER A WOMAN WILL DISCLOSE HER PREGNANCY family planning services at the Baylor Clinical
TO HER INFECTIOUS DISEASES PHYSICIAN: ATTITUDES, Center of Excellence, where they are provided free
SUBJECTIVE NORMS, STEREOTYPES ABOUT OTHER contraceptives.
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2017
Fear
infection from mother to child.
MODEL - GIBBONS ET AL. 2003) SELECTED BECAUSE IT
2016
Anxious about revealing the pregnancy to their
health providers
woman more likely to disclose her pregnancy to her
THEORETICAL MODEL (THE PROTOTYPE/WILLINGNESS
2015
The clinic is perceived as a safe environment
the existence of a multidisciplinary team knowledge assessment about the transmission of HIV
THE INTERVIEW GUIDE WAS DEVELOPED BASED ON A
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Desired/ Wanted behavior
The project team has developed two tools: a
19-question interview guide and an eight-question
20
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provides counseling on adherence, nutrition, how to
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AND ASSESSING IT, WE COLLABORATED WITH AN
EXTERNAL CONSULTANT, A DOCTOR IN PSYCHOLOGY
today can have the possibility of healthy lives. Baylor
HIV-free children born
thanks to Baylor's HIV
Mother to Child
Transmission Prevention
Program
INTERVIEW GUIDE, IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING
witnessed the transition from the generation of
and medical and psychological monitoring, kids born
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PREVIOUS
of HIV. The Baylor team has contributed to and
THE
It is possible to prevent mother-to-child transmission
IN
"A pregnant woman who has HIV needs people who can help
her; besides going to see the doctor, she can discuss with
the nurses but also can ask for support from a social worker
or a psychologist."
"I think some women dread talking about having a child with
their doctors. What if they say no, you cannot have the child?
What if they don't want to see you during your pregnancy?
What if they say my lab test results are good enough to keep
the baby?"
Medical system Medical discrimination
Personnel displays concern and care for patients'
well-being Discriminatory behaviors from medical staff
"It's a great thing that at the clinic there is a ob/gyn doctor that
I can talk to anytime. I don't have to go to an outside practice."
"The doctors, both the infectious diseases specialist and the
ob/gyn doctor, are the ones helping me to have a healthy
pregnancy and to have an HIV free child."
"I still remember when the family doctor I went to enroll to
started screaming on the hallway and saying I don't want you
on my list of patients."
Information/ Advice Social judgement
The clinic providers deliver health literate messages Criticism from society
"There are so many sources of information at the clinic! It
helps other women to know more and to have opened
minds."
"There are still people who believe that only because you have
HIV you shouldn't have children."
"You only need one person who tells you "You have HIV, you
cannot do anything!", to stop: "Stop looking for work, having
friends, going outside".
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