The first step in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) programmes is offering HIV counselling and testing to pregnant women. In developing countries where HIV testing remains rare, it represents a unique opportunity for many women to learn their HIV status. This prenatal HIV...

Before modern contraceptive methods were available in developing countries, postpartum sexual abstinence formed the backbone of birth spacing. With the changes occurring in African societies, how has post-partum sexual abstinence been affected? We conducted an exploratory study in 2000-2001 in...

As part of prevention of HIV mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) strategies, HIV-positive women are asked to choose between two options regarding infant feeding: replacement feeding or exclusive breastfeeding with early weaning. Health services must offer women counseling, guidance, and support...

Disclosing overall scientific results to clinical trial participants has become an ethical obligation. Here we studied how participants understand these results in view of their experience of clinical trials and illness in general and what modes of disclosure they preferred. Interviews were...