Assessing the Acceptability of a Peer Mentor Mother Intervention to Improve Retention in Care of Postpartum Women Living with HIV

Bibliographic Data

ID19578731
AuthorsYetunde Akinde, Allison K Groves (0000-0003-4520-3963), Hervette Nkwihoreze (Drexel University, corresponding author), Erika Aaron (0000-0003-0757-2338, Philadelphia Department of Public Health), Gregg Alleyne, Charmaine Wright (0000-0002-2905-8738), John B Jemmott (0000-0003-2831-8240, University of Pennsylvania), John Jemmott, Florence Momplaisir (0000-0002-6287-0373, corresponding author), Florence M Momplaisir
Year2019
Volume3
Issue1
Pages336-342
Publication date2019-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Equity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2473-1242 • E-ISSN: 2473-1242
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1089/heq.2019.0027
PMID31312780
OpenAlexW2962324267
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited19

Background: Many women living with HIV (WLWH) experience poor postpartum retention in HIV care. There are limited evidence-based interventions in the United States aimed at increasing retention of WLWH postpartum; however, evidence from low-resource settings suggest that women who receive peer mentoring experience higher retention and viral suppression postpartum. Methods: We conducted 15 semistructured interviews with pregnant or postpartum women from an urban U.S. clinic to assess factors influencing maternal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and retention in HIV care. We then assessed the acceptability of a peer intervention in mitigating barriers to sustain adherence and retention in care postpartum. Interviews were audio taped, transcribed, and analyzed. Codes were developed and applied to all transcripts, and matrices were used to facilitate comparisons across different types of participants. Results: Participants included low-income black and Hispanic women with a mean age of 31 years (range 22–42). Social support and concern for infants' well-being were strong facilitators for engaging in care. Psychosocial challenges, such as stigma and isolation, fear of disclosure, and depression, negatively influenced adherence to ART and engagement in care. Regardless of their level of adherence to ART, women felt that peer mentoring would be an acceptable intervention to reinforce skill-related ART adherence and sustain engagement in care after delivery. Conclusion: A peer mentor mother program is a promising intervention that can improve the care continuum of pregnant and postpartum women in the United States. Messaging that maximizes maternal support and women's motivation to keep their infant healthy may leverage retention in care postpartum

Family medicine · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · Global Maternal and Child Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology