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Audience: Community-based volunteers and motivators

Purpose: To provide community motivators with a basic understanding of HIV facts and prevention, mechanisms of MTCT, current MTCT risk reduction interventions, and infant and young child feeding in the context of PMTCT. The course also reviews nutritional recommendations for pregnant women and new mothers in areas affected by HIV.

Content:

Technical

Skills

Basic facts of HIV and AIDS Process of behavior change Common sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) that facilitate HIV transmission Community breastfeeding practices and benefits of breastfeeding for infant, mother, family, community, and nation How the breast works Composition of breastmilk MTCT of HIV PMTCT of HIV Primary prevention of HIV PMTCT during pregnancy HIV testing and counseling PMTCT during labor and delivery and immediate newborn care PMTCT during the postnatal period How to breastfeed and how to overcome common breastfeeding difficulties Infant feeding options in the context of HIV and AIDS Young child feeding (complementary feeding) Women’s nutrition Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes Involving the community and men in PMTCT Monitoring (record keeping) in the community

Observe and assess a breastfeed Promote optimal practices of breastfeeding Assist women in overcoming breastfeeding difficulties Communicate with community members and negotiate infant and young child feeding options Use educational materials Conduct a motivational activity in the community (a health talk, a small group discussion, one-on-one counseling, work with a support group)

Methodology: To maximize participation, each session begins with a discussion question to invite participants to share their knowledge, experience, beliefs, feelings, and practices. The questions are discussed using the following participatory methods: brainstorming, demonstrations, pictures or other visuals, case studies, role plays, models, use of real people or items, community practice, motivational activity, working groups, group discussion, and checklists. Participants benefit from working directly with breastfeeding and pregnant women.

Structure: The 6-day infant feeding and HIV and AIDS course is divided into 28 sessions. Each session includes the following components: duration, introduction, learning objectives, content and training methods, and materials.

Materials and tools: An instructional plan details the outline of the course sessions, and a module (186 pages) contains the course content.

Time required: Six days with practice and motivational activity in the community
Languages: English
Country applications: Zambia
Date developed: Updated September 2004