Experiences of Fetal or Infant Loss Among Tanzanian Women in HIV Care

This study examined the impact of fetal or infant loss on HIV care engagement. We conducted semistructured interviews with 15 HIV-infected women who experienced fetal or infant loss while enrolled in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services in Tanzania. Women attributed the loss t...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of loss & trauma 2019-10, Vol.24 (7), p.625-635
Main Authors: Kisigo, Godfrey A., Manavalan, Preeti, Cichowitz, Cody, Knettel, Brandon A., Mmbaga, Blandina T., Watt, Melissa H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
care engagement
Disengagement
Fetuses
Health education
Health information
Health services
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
infant mortality
Infants
Maternal and infant welfare
Prevention
prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT)
Psychological distress
Tanzania
Women
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study examined the impact of fetal or infant loss on HIV care engagement. We conducted semistructured interviews with 15 HIV-infected women who experienced fetal or infant loss while enrolled in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services in Tanzania. Women attributed the loss to delays in receiving health care. Provider communication about the cause of the loss was poor, and women reported substantial distress related to the loss. One fifth reported gaps in HIV care or disengagement from care following their loss. Loss of a fetus or infant is not uncommon in HIV endemic settings, and should be integrated into PMTCT guidelines.
ISSN:1532-5024
1532-5032
DOI:10.1080/15325024.2019.1600850