Theme 3: adherence to prolonged lamivudine use vs. maternal adherence to ART
nausea
Interviewed mothers with unsuppressed viral load admitted to being more adherent to PNP for their child than to their own ARVs. Unfortunately, some mothers were not taking ARVs for their own health. For example, this mother had difficulties taking ARVs because of side effects (nausea), but had no problem giving lamivudine to her child.“I did not have challenges when giving my child [medication], but mine, that’s where I had a challenge because I found it hard to accept.” (Mother 22 yrs; FGD)The desire to protect their child from HIV gave them the courage to face the challenges such as the fear of stigma, or frequent visits to health facility. They would find it difficult to accept transmission through breastfeeding.“I never wanted my child to be going through what I went through. I also did not have a challenge, whenever am going out with my baby I would administer or give medication to my baby without feeling shy.” (Mother 29 yrs; FGD)According to PROMISE-EPI staff, some mothers suggested that, giving PNP was a more direct and easier way to protect the child from acquiring HIV than indirectly, by taking ARVs.“For their ART it is quite a challenge, there are a lot of participants or clients who are defaulters but for their babies they are consistent because they know that it causes a risk for them not to give medicines to their babies.” (PROMISE-EPI staff; individual interview)