Providing opportunities for women to gather information and discuss infant feeding options during pregnancy is ideal, allowing women time to make informed decisions. Provision of information on the topic of the mode of feeding in a supportive forum is a complex process. Nurses and midwives need to have expert knowledge of current evidence and guidelines, …
Current international guidelines recognise that if a pregnant woman LWHIV has an undetectable HIV VL, vaginal delivery does not increase the risk of HIV transmission to the infant (6). Maintaining engagement in care is an important role of nursing and midwifery staff to ensure monitoring of women’s VL throughout pregnancy, which will ultimately inform the …
During pregnancy and in the perinatal period, confusion, guilt, anxiety, fear of transmission to the unborn child may arise and require sensitive handling, negotiation, offers of referrals, support, and advocacy. The nurse may link the woman, and her partner/family, to appropriate counselling, peer support, and culturally specific care and provide education to help overcome practical …
The benefits of a woman knowing her HIV status during pregnancy include the opportunity for her to receive appropriate treatment and care for herself and to prevent transmission of the virus to her unborn baby. A further benefit is prevention of HIV transmission to partners or potential future children. An HIV diagnosis in pregnancy requires …
For any person or couple planning to conceive, there should be opportunities to consider broad aspects of healthcare. This includes the importance of folate, healthy weight range, vaccinations, and lifestyle considerations, prior to conception (2). For PLHIV planning pregnancy, additional factors should be considered – appropriate anti-retroviral therapy (ART) as well as counselling and education …
It is important to note that nurses, midwives and other health professionals working with members of key populations, especially those who have experienced trauma, need to look after their own mental health and well-being. The risks and mental health effects of vicarious trauma etc are real (75), highlighting the need for formal support for healthcare …
Self-care for nurses and midwives caring for key populations. Read More »
There are relatively low rates of HIV among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. This can be attributed to the prevention work done by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their communities, and to the development of dedicated sexual health worker and nursing roles in communities, under an inclusive policy and partnership …
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities continue to be dramatically affected by systemic racism. Its lasting impact can make it hard for individuals to trust health services. It is the responsibility of health services to ensure that they have adequate systems to improve and ensure cultural safety for both staff and patients who are Aboriginal …
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and The Torres Model of Care specific to the Torres Strait Islands are two models of care that nurses should familiarise themselves with. For optimal outcomes, care is provided in partnership with the PLHIV. Consideration must always be given to confidentiality, which is more difficult to manage …
More recently, it has been recognised that Asian-born men who have sex with men are over-represented in new HIV diagnoses in Australia (24-26). Gay male Asian students face many challenges and opportunities when they come to Australia – they may find that they experience a far greater level of freedom to explore their sexuality (having …