Breastfeeding And HIV/Aids: The Research, the Politics, the Women's Responses [Paperback]

Edith White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999

The spread of the AIDS virus has introduced a new element into the formula-versus-breastfeeding controversy. Mothers, particularly those in developing nations, have been urged to breastfeed in order to better nourish their infants and protect them from disease or contaminants in the water used to prepare formula. Now, however, mothers and healthcare workers must consider the danger of transmitting AIDS via breastfeeding. When HIV-infected women nurse their children, they more than double the risk of transmitting the virus. The issue is further complicated in countries where the alternatives are not very promising and in cultures that stigmatize women for even undergoing AIDS testing. This informative analysis includes the development of research into HIV and breastfeeding, the medical and political questions surrounding the controversy, and options and solutions for women to consider in feeding their infants. Fully indexed, this book is an important contribution to the social and medical studies of one of the most tragic facets of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edith White has been involved with educational breastfeeding programs for more than 25 years and is one of the original International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. Through the Community Nutrition Institute in Washington, D.C., she has helped sponsor workshops with international researchers as well as representatives of UNAIDS and CDC on HIV transmission through breastfeeding. Ms. White is the Executive Director of the South Shore AIDS Project in Plymouth Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786406941
• ISBN-13: 978-0786406944
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,108,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A springboard for a very important conversation., June 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Breastfeeding And HIV/Aids: The Research, the Politics, the Women's Responses (Paperback)

As a breastfeeding mother of two, tandem-nursing a three-year-old and a one-year-old, I am often frustrated by the lack of available information on breastfeeding. Information that is available tends to focus on how wonderful breastfeeding is and why every single person should do it. This is a very disturbing scenario because it both fails to acknowledge the reality of women's lives and fails to view them as intelligent people capable of making informed decisions. In Breastfeeding and HIV/AIDS: The Research, the Politics, the Women's Responses, Ms. White expresses an opinion which is not popular, but whose time has come. The research clearly shows that HIV/AIDS is indeed readily transmitted through breastmilk, and that this information needs to be publicly acknowledged and passed on to the women who it most directly affects . We need to recognize that women are intelligent beings, who do the best they can, based on the information that they have when the decision is made. The time is long overdue for a scholarly book which presents the information in a clear manner and makes that information available to the general public. I find it appalling that governments, the medical profession and other groups feel that they have the right to make decisions for women. Ms. White brings a respect for all women and all children that tends to be lacking in discussions concerning women and children in resource-poor countries. As a strong breastfeeding advocate, it is difficult to hear that, in some situations, breastmilk is not the best option. As a mother and a feminist, I realize that it is important to have this conversation and to make it an honest conversation, where all those concerned have access to the truth. Thank-you Ms. White for providing a springboard for this conversation.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breastfeeding and HIV/AIDS: The Research, the Politics, the, January 28, 2004

By 

Enu Ekaka-a (MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breastfeeding And HIV/Aids: The Research, the Politics, the Women's Responses (Paperback)

The author of this book has thoroughly and systematically discussed the link between breastfeeding and transmission of HIV . The diverse spectrum of settings and cultures that have informed the author's perspective presupposes the urgent need to halt further spread of HIV from a mother to her child. My present research on Nigeria reinforces that mother-to-child transmission is one of the ways in which the virus is spreading in Nigeria. Although migrant status,education status and age at first sexual intercourse have different levels of impact on AIDS-KNOWLEDGE through mother to child blood transfusion, the undeniable fact is that it is a problem in Nigeria. On the other hand, other colleagues should be informed that most health care systems in Africa are still in the crude state and HIV/AIDS intervention strategy on such issues I may be wrong are well documented in national programmes of AIDS, but are rarely on the agenda. The message of cross infection is yet to be understood by most women. But again, gender is a highly charged topic in Africa because of male dormination and unguided misconceptions against western interpretation of disease prevention. The only way forward is to mitigate the spread of HIV through this process by consistently promoting the alternatives to breastfeeding. It may take time, but the long term implication of taking prevention measures to halt mother-to-child HIV spread in Afica is a sound research agenda that should be encouraged. Edith White has made a significant contribution to this dynamic subject. It will require huge funding, political support and de-culturing certain negative beliefs in Africa in order to change high risk practices. I passionately expect AIDS- PREVENTION revolution that will ultimately translate AIDS-knowledge into behaviour change. I strongly recommend the approach of the author to other researchers. Thank you for your audience.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incorporating a wide spectrum, April 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Breastfeeding And HIV/Aids: The Research, the Politics, the Women's Responses (Paperback)

I found White's book to present many different points of view while it drew on a variety of disciplines. This book was a great overview on a topic that not many consider or know much about.