Maternal and Child Health

Postnatal Depression Symptoms Are Associated with Increased Diarrhea Among Infants of HIV-Positive Ghanaian Mothers

  • Source:
  • Okronipa, H et al. 2012. AIDS Behav, 16: 2216-2225.

  • Summary:
  • HIV infection is linked to increased prevalence of depression which may affect maternal caregiving practices and place infants at increased risk of illness. We examined the incidence and days ill with diarrhea among infants of HIV positive (HIV-P), HIV negative (HIV-N), and unknown HIV status (HIV-U) women, and determined if symptoms of maternal postnatal depression (PND) modulated the risk of diarrhea. Pregnant women (n = 492) were recruited from three antenatal clinics; mothers and infants were followed for 12 months postpartum. Diarrheal incidence was 0.6 episodes/100 days at risk. More HIV-P than HIV-N and HIV-U women tended to report PND symptoms (v 2 = 4.76; P = 0.09). Reporting symptoms was associated with an increased risk of infantile diarrhea only among HIV-P and HIV-U but not HIVN women (interaction term, v 2 = 7.84; P = 0.02). Health care providers should be aware of the increased risk of infantile diarrhea when both maternal HIV and PND symptoms are present and take preventive action.

  • Keywords:
  • Breast Feeding/Infant Feeding Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Handwashing (Hand Washing) Journal Articles Maternal and Child Health People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV)

    • AIDSTAR AIDS Support and Technical Assistance Resources – Improving the Lives of PLHIV Training Resources

    • Source:
    • AIDSTAR-One

    • Summary:
    • Several USAID projects have developed training materials and participant manuals for integrating WASH into home-based and facility care. These provide more detailed "how tos": both how to improve sanitation and hand washing through behavior change, and how to build capacity of professional and lay cadres. USAID’s AIDSTAR I program has developed a comprehensive training guide and materials for health workers available from the AIDSTAR website.

  • Keywords:
  • Food Hygiene Home-Based Care Household Water Treatment & Storage Innovation Maternal and Child Health Nutrition OVCs (Orphans/Vulnerable Children) People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) PEPFAR PMTCT (Preventing Mother to Child Trans.) Sanitation/Feces Disposal Small Doable Actions Websites

    • Women’s Morbidity and Mortality in the First 2 Years After Delivery According to HIV Status

    • Source:
    • Coutsoudis A et al. 2010. AIDS November 2010. A. Coutsoudis, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

    • Summary:
    • HIV-infected women experienced more morbidity and mortality than HIV-uninfected women; this was predicted by maternal immune status and socio-economic factors. HIV-infected women even in the high CD4 strata had higher mortality than HIV-uninfected women from the same population. This study underlines the importance of interventions to improve maternal health, for example, timely antiretroviral treatment, tuberculosis screening, and improved water and sanitation.

  • Keywords:
  • Evidence Base Household Water Treatment & Storage Journal Articles Maternal and Child Health Sanitation/Feces Disposal

    • WELL Briefing Note: The HIV/AIDS Millennium Development Goal – What Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Can Do

    • Source:
    • WELL Project. 2004. London, UK

    • Summary:
    • This Briefing Note focuses on HIV/AIDS only. There are very few examples to date of the impact of water supply, sanitation and improved hygiene on the lives of those with this disease. However, its impact on health and care of the sick is known and can be applied to HIV/AIDS. Evidence is presented here, with a focus on: HIV/AIDS and Children, HIV/AIDS and Staying Healthy, HIV/AIDS and Home-Based Care, and HIV/AIDS and Income Generation.

  • Keywords:
  • Accessing Water Evidence Base Handwashing (Hand Washing) Home-Based Care Maternal and Child Health OVCs (Orphans/Vulnerable Children) People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) Sanitation/Feces Disposal