Testing for the infant is recommended at various intervals until 18 months of age (11), so the woman should feel safe and supported in a non-judgemental care setting. Maternal antibodies are usually present for at least the first 12 months of the infant’s life, hence the need to delay an HIV antibody test until 18 …
PEP is given to the infant within 4 hours of birth and may be given orally, although it can also be given via a nasogastric tube or intravenously. In most cases, if the baby is categorised as ‘very low risk’ or ‘low risk’ of HIV transmission, PEP will be administered for 2 weeks, twice daily …
Before hospital discharge following birth, nursing and midwifery staff can provide guidance for the parents/mother about: administration of PEP to the infant safe and private storage of ART ways to maintain confidentiality from visiting family members/friends. Care coordination can ensure that the woman’s paediatric HIV care team know of the birth, mode of feeding, PEP …
Care of the infant in the first 18 months of life Read More »
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 …
Developing a sustainable HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Workforce
Acknowledgement of Country
We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the past, present, and future, including the Gadigal peoples (Sydney office), the Turrbal and Jagera/Yuggera peoples (Brisbane office), and all First Nations people of the nations where we live and work.
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