Keeping healthy in the backseat’

How motherhood interrupted HIV treatment in recently delivered women in Kenya

Bibliographic Data

ID15456980
AuthorsOpondo Awiti-Ujiji (Karolinska Institutet, corresponding author), Anna Mia Ekström (0000-0002-3912-1171, Karolinska University Hospital), Festus Ilako (Amref Health Africa), Dorcas Indalo (Amref Health Africa), Abigael Lukhwaro (Amref Health Africa), David Wamalwa (Amref Health Africa), Birgitta Rubenson (0000-0002-7275-3517, Karolinska Institutet)
Year2011
Volume10
Issue2
Pages157-163
Publication date2011-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAfrican Journal of AIDS Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1608-5906 • E-ISSN: 1727-9445
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.2989/16085906.2011.593378
PMID25859738
OpenAlexW1980853082
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited17

Although there is a large body of literature related to the experiences of motherhood and aspects of the change that it brings about, how the experience of motherhood affects the healthcare of women with chronic illness is less documented. This study explores how motherhood in newly delivered HIV-infected mothers in Kenya interrupted their antiretroviral treatment (ART). Qualitative interviews were performed with 26 mothers on ART in a rural or urban area. The data were organised and interpreted using content analysis. The study found that adherence to ART was influenced by contextual differences in socio-cultural expectations and family relationships. Urban life enabled women to make decisions on their own and to negotiate challenges that were often unpredictable. Women in rural areas knew what was expected of them and decisions were normally not for them to make alone. The women in Busia and Kibera had difficulties combining adherence with attaining the socio-cultural definition of good mothering. Lack of support from health providers and weak healthcare systems contributed to inadequate stocks of HIV drugs and inaccessibility of HIV-related care. From the data, we developed the main theme 'keeping healthy in the backseat' and the two sub-themes 'regaining self-worth through motherhood' and 'mother first - patient later.' We suggest that motherhood is context-specific and follows socio-cultural practises, which made it difficult for the women in Kenya to follow ART instructions. There is a need to reassess HIV-related services for mothers on ART in order to give them a better chance to stay on treatment and satisfy their aspiration to be 'good mothers.' Context-specific HIV-treatment policies are necessary for ensuring adherence and successful treatment outcomes

Context (archaeology · Economic growth · Family medicine · Geography · Health care · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Negotiation · Qualitative research · Rural area · Social science · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Gender Studies · Global Maternal and Child Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology