Significance attributed by HIV positive mothers to the abstinence of breastfeeding

Abstract

The movement undertaken during decades, in favor of breast-feeding, is now faced with the necessity of impeding this practice by HIV-bearing mothers. The objective of this study was to understand the meaning that a HIV positive mother attributes to the experience of being unable to breast-feed. We interviewed 15 HIV positive mothers attended in a Reference Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of AIDS. We used the Established Theory on Data and the Symbolic Interactionism as theoretical and methodological references. The results reveal the women’s dilemma and drama, who are saddened by the denial of breast-feeding experience but at the same time they understand the importance of avoid breastfeed their babies in the circumstances and try to deal with the uncertainty of the future both for themselves and their children.