14th International AIDS Conference Barcelona, Spain — July 7-12, 2002

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12;14:Abstract No. F11979

ISSUES: It is well documented that breast feeding increases the risk of mother to child transmission(MTCT) of HIV. The WHO recommends that women in deveped countries should bottle feed their infants to reduce MTCT.

In the UK current immigration legislation states that asylum seekers have no recouse to public funds and they are not allowed to work. HIV positive women who fall in this category are give food vouchers to feed themselves and their families.

In Enfield and Haringey there is a large African population who are asylum seekers. We found that women were not being compliant with our advise and they were putting their infants at risk of HIV infection. They were in danger under the Children Act of activating child protection procceeding.

All the stakeholders identified this problem as both a health and social care issue in health prevention.

Descriptions: This paper will decribe and evaulate the effectiveness of the infant feeding program.

A multidiscplinary approach was used to set up this program. The implementation team consisted of representatives from:

• North Middlesex Hospital
  
• Social services
  
• Health authority
  

This program was jointly funded by social services and the health authority and was co-ordinated by the hospital. Women who qualified for this scheme were give a discharge pack which consisted of sterilising equipment, bottles and infant formula milk. Free formula milk was given until the child is one year of age. Social workers are responsible for supporting and monitoring the mother's progress.

Support for this program was also give by :

• Local HIV voluntary organisations
  
• Community pharmacists
  
• Infant formula companies.
  

Leasons learnt: Our experience has demonstrated that using a holistic approach in promoting MTCT interventions can lead to desired health outcomes.

Recommendations: A national infant feeding program needs to be implemented if the UK is to be suceesful in reducing MTCT in asylum seekers.

Presenting author: Portia Kumalo

1North Middlesex Hospital, 176 Pawsons Rd, Croydon, Surrey, CRO 2QD, United Kingdom.

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