Conference Summary [Conference on Global Strategies for the Prevention of HIV Transmission from Mothers to Infants (1997)]

III. WORKSHOPS

During the last day and a half of the conference, several workshops took
place. Workshop leaders and participants discussed ways to put into practice
some of the ideas presented at the scientific sessions and steps that could be
taken to make further progress in the next few years.
The workshops gave participants a chance to offer their input. One
common theme that emerged was the need for regional meetings about specific
issues related to perinatal HIV transmission. Conference organizers said they
would work with health care workers, researchers and community leaders to
arrange such meetings during the next few years.
Following are some of the highlights of the ideas discussed at the
workshops:
Nursing and Midwifery in the International Setting
* In developing countries, it's especially important for women to have access to
private HIV counseling and testing. If a woman's husband finds out she's
HIV-positive, even if he is the one who infected her, he may leave her.
* It's important to include midwives and nurses in the planning process for
clinical trials in the developing world. The majority of maternity care is
performed by nurses and midwives.
* There's a need for more studies to include rural areas in developing nations.
* Some ideas for possible study: Could delaying the rupture of membranes
when a woman goes into labor decrease the risk of transmission? Could HIVnegative wet nurses be used to nurse the babies of HIV positive women?
Nutrition
* Nutritional therapy has the potential to be an affordable, appropriate and
sustainable solution for women in the developing world.
* There are now four major nutritional intervention trials taking place. Among
the micronutrients being studied are vitamin A, iron, folate and beta-carotene.
Practical and Ethical Aspects and Issues of Conducting International
Studies
* When trials are being designed, include an active two-way collaboration
between funding groups and the study site. For example, avoid "helicopter
research" - don't just drop in and tell people what to do. Involve local people
in the planning and in working on the trial.

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