What Works for Women and Girls

8. Meeting the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Women Living With HIV]Studies found that women were not given contraceptive counseling or contraceptives postpartumand that transport costs restricted their ability to gain access to their contraceptivemethod of choice. Studies also found an unmet need for postpartum contraception amongHIV-positive women. Studies found that sexuality and condom use need to be addressedwhen sexual activity resumes postpartum. Family planning services are most often notprovided postpartum in PMTCT programs.Gap noted, for example, in South Africa (Moodley et al., 2008a), Kenya (Chersich et al.,2008b), Côte d’Ivoire (Brou et al., 2008), Kenya and Zambia (Thea et al., 2006).6. Further efforts are needed to educate families about HIV transmission so that infants arenot abandoned. A study found that families forced HIV-positive women to abandon theirinfants due to erroneous fears that the infants could transmit HIV.Gap noted, for example, in Russia (Zabina et al., 2009).7. WHO/UNICEF recommendations on the meaning of “acceptable, sustainable, safe andfeasible” should be clarified so it can be translated effectively in programmatic settings.A study found that confusing and contradictory advice was given by providers on when tofeed with infant formula.Gap noted, for example, in South Africa, (Doherty et al., 2006).266 CHAPTER 9 SAFE MOTHERHOOD AND PREVENTION OF VERTICAL TRANSMISSION