Sub-theme: relation to breastfeeding
Adherence to lamivudine had an impact on breastfeeding behavior. In cases of missed doses one mother would not breastfeed for fear of endangering the child.“For me when I forget, it means I will not breastfeed my child for fear of putting my child at risk. No matter how long my child cries, I will make sure I try by all means to help the child to stop crying without giving him the breast.” (Mother 32 yrs; FGD)Some mothers were reassured of the protection provided by lamivudine and felt more confident to continue breastfeeding.“What made me to breastfeed my child up to one year 1 month was, because of the medication that I was getting from the promise – EPI study for my child. If it was not for that medication, I was going to stop breastfeeding the child at 5 months.” (Mother 27 yrs; FGD)