What guidance can health workers give mothers about the use of LAM in areas of high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence?
Women who are HIV+ and who choose to breastfeed can use LAM if they meet the three eligibility criteria. HIV+ women need to be carefully counseled regarding their reproductive intentions and the contraceptive methods available to them. These women and women at risk for HIV infection should be advised to use condoms in addition to whatever contraceptive method is used. It is important that HIV+ women be counseled about the benefits and risks of breastfeeding and other infant feeding options. In fact, some studies indicate that exclusive breastfeeding may help reduce the risk of passage of HIV to the infant when the mother is infected. The infant feeding decision is the mother’s to make.
Women who are HIV+ and who choose to breastfeed can use LAM if they meet the three eligibility criteria. HIV+ women need to be carefully counseled regarding their reproductive intentions and the contraceptive methods available to them. These women and women at risk for HIV infection should be advised to use condoms in addition to whatever contraceptive method is used. It is important that HIV+ women be counseled about the benefits and risks of breastfeeding and other infant feeding options. In fact, some studies indicate that exclusive breastfeeding may help reduce the risk of passage of HIV to the infant when the mother is infected. The infant feeding decision is the mother’s to make.
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