Vienna, Austria, July 18–23, 2010
The International AIDS Conference is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policymakers, persons living with HIV, and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic.
Improving child health and HIV-free survival: A review of current research on risks and benefits of infant feeding options for HIV-positive moms
Monday, July 19, 2010, 9:00am-6:30pm, Hall B, Ground level
Altrena Mukuria (right) presents the poster to a conference delegate on Monday, July 19.
IYCN presented a poster on evidence concerning the effect of breastfeeding avoidance and early cessation on child mortality and HIV-free survival in developing countries.
International guidelines for HIV uninfected populations have recommended exclusive breastfeeding to six months with continued breastfeeding to two years. Yet over the past ten years, many HIV-positive mothers have avoided breastfeeding or shortened their usual duration. While avoidance and early cessation of breastfeeding reduce HIV transmission, programmatic and clinical trial evidence suggests that they also increase child morbidity and mortality, thus providing no net benefit for HIV-free survival.
Download a handout of the poster.
Safer feeding for HIV-exposed children: How to integrate infant feeding into community-based HIV prevention activities
Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 2:30-6:00pm, Mini Room 10
Delegates discuss their experiences with infant feeding and HIV.
During this skills-building workshop, IYCN led group discussions, demonstrations, and role plays to help participants understand how to support HIV-positive mothers to practice safer infant feeding to prevent malnutrition and improve HIV-free survival of their children. The workshop focused on integrating infant feeding promotion into community-based HIV prevention activities.
Activities and participatory discussions covered myths about breastfeeding within the context of HIV, advantages of exclusive breastfeeding, and how to overcome common breastfeeding challenges. Facilitators provided helpful resources and accurate messages, and participants planned how to integrate infant feeding support into their own programs.
Infant Feeding and HIV: New opportunities to prevent pediatric HIV and improve child survival
Thursday, July 22, 2010, 6:30-8:30pm, Mini Room 10
IYCN co-hosted this satellite session together with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, mothers2mothers, PATH, and the World Health Organization. The session reviewed the latest WHO guidelines on infant feeding and HIV announced in November 2009. Presenters reviewed the evidence that informed the new guidance and explored how the guidance presents new opportunities to prevent pediatric HIV and improve child survival.
Participants learned about tools that are available to support countries in changing national policies in light of the new guidelines and discussed specific country experiences in changing policies and implementing the new guidance in the field. The discussion was moderated by Laura Guay, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Learn more about this session and download the presentations.
Learn more about IYCN and PATH’s participation in AIDS 2010.
Visit the AIDS 2010 website to learn more about the conference.
Date: Jul 18, 2010 | Category: Events