Qualitative exploration of psychological reactions and coping strategies of breastfeeding mothers living with HIV in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Angela Kwartemaa Acheampong,Adzo Kwashie,Florence Naab

doi:10.1186/s13006-017-0119-8

Abstract

BackgroundExploring the psychological reactions of breastfeeding mothers living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an important step which may improve guidelines for counselling. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychological reactions and coping strategies of breastfeeding mothers living with HIV in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.MethodsQualitative descriptive exploratory design was used to explore the psychological experiences and coping strategies of 13 breastfeeding mothers living with HIV in a main referral public hospital, at the greater Accra Region of Ghana. An interview guide was designed and piloted before it was used to collect data between November, 2014 and February, 2015. Data was content analyzed for themes and subthemes to emerge.ResultsThe two major themes that emerged included psychological reactions and coping strategies. Some of the subthemes were fear, anxiety, blame, hope, denial, prayer and trust in positive situations of life.ConclusionThe women used denial, prayer and hope in ART, among others to cope with their emotions. This highlights the need for HIV counsellors to detect signs of denial since it can lead to non-adherence to ART as well as relapse. Health workers should therefore put the coping strategies in context during counselling of mothers in this category.

Highlights

Exploring the psychological reactions of breastfeeding mothers living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an important step which may improve guidelines for counselling
This study explored the psychological reactions and coping strategies of breastfeeding mothers living with HIV in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana
Some of the participants had overcome their psychological burdens to an extent that they were encouraging other mothers in similar situations to breastfeed with hope

Summary

Introduction

Exploring the psychological reactions of breastfeeding mothers living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an important step which may improve guidelines for counselling. The World Health Organization in 2010 recommended that mothers living with HIV should breastfeed for at least 1 year this is partly due to the compelling evidence about the benefits of breastfeeding to the HIV exposed infant [1]. Breastfeeding is one of the means through which HIV can be transmitted from mother to child and the rate of transmission is significantly reduced when the mother and her child are on antiretroviral therapy [1] This may not negate the hyped, negative psychological emotions which mothers living with HIV attach to breastfeeding. Mothers living with HIV in countries where exclusive formula feeding is recommended for HIV exposed infants struggle with feelings of guilt and blame regarding not breastfeeding [6]. There is a feeling of shame and worthlessness among mothers who transmit the virus to their children [8]

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