What Works for Women and Girls

more likely to have disclosed their status to someone than non-participants, and to havedone so prior to delivery. M2m seeks to reduce PMTCT, empower pregnant and postpartumwomen to improve their health and the health of their babies, fight stigma andencourage and support disclosure. The program offered education and psychosocialsupport to HIV-positive pregnant women and new mothers, assisted women to accessPMTCT services, and followed up to ensure care of mothers and infants after delivery(Baek et al. 2007). (Gray IV) (PMTCT, support groups, mothers, South Africa)In-depth interviews conducted from 2000 to 2001 with ten pregnant women in Thailandfollowing their HIV diagnosis found that peer support groups were critical for womenwhen they were ready to share their struggles with others (Ross et al., 2007). (Gray V)(support groups, Thailand)A qualitative study in rural and per-urban Malawi explored the acceptability of a caregiver’straining and support group for Malawian women. Twenty women caregivers wererecruited for in-depth interviews. Questions address the actions that could be conductedin the group, the reasons to participate, the barriers to participation, and the benefits ofa caregiver group. Reponses from women show that a caregiver support group wouldbe acceptable to Malawian women. Rural and peri-urban women said a group couldtake action by sharing household chores, finding material resources, and developingbusiness ideas to generate income. Barriers to the group were community “gossiping”,and husband and family disapproval. Benefits of the group were the opportunity tolearn and share information, share patient care, and offer emotional support. In addition,women expressed the hope that direct access to antiretroviral treatment could beobtained through the group. This group of Malawian women caregivers felt they couldbenefit greatly from a caregiver support group. While the caregiving demands are vast,these women have many skills and abilities to care for patients and a support groupcould enhance the sharing of treatment, care, and support to alleviate the impact ofHIV/AIDS for families (Hatchett et al., 2006). (Gray V) (support groups, Malawi)A study in South Africa based on interviews with 317 pregnant HIV-positive womenfound that women reported benefiting from a structured support group. Program materialfor the support group meetings was based on a needs assessment. The meetingsprovided information on HIV; the emotional experience of being HIV-positive; sharingcoping with difficult situations, using role plays; planning for disclosure; what theywanted from their partners; dealing with stigma; and goal setting and future planning.Masters level psychology students facilitated the support groups. Interviewers followingthe support group sessions found that the women found the support group valuable:“It was a shelter to hide away where I could talk freely. I can tell others now. Now I amstronger, I can stand on my own” (Visser et al., 2005: 339). Another woman stated: “Itwas a positive picture of HIV. I did not feel alone and embarrassed anymore” (Visseret al., 2005: 339). Role-playing was especially helpful. In addition, the introduction ofhuman rights helped women to realize “that they were not at fault, but that other people350 CHAPTER 12 CARE AND SUPPORT