biostudies-literatureReimers PAcademy of Medical SciencesS130-6https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5113241biostudies-literatureUnknown72 Suppl 2<h4>Background</h4>The uptake of prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) services has improved in South Africa but challenges remain, including adherence to the World Health Organization's (WHO) PMTCT recommendations of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), taking antiretroviral medication (ARV); testing for early infant diagnosis; and reducing stigma. Women who practice EBF for the first 6 months are less likely to transmit HIV to their infants, yet only 7% of women EBF for 6 months in South Africa. Adherence to these recommendations remains challenging because of difficulties relating to disclosure and stigma. To address this challenge, the feeding buddy concept was developed based on studies where ARV buddies have proved effective in providing support for women living with HIV. BuddJournal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999)A Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Trial on the Effect of a "feeding buddy" Program on adherence to the Prevention of Mother-To-Child-Transmission Guidelines in a Rural Area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.PMC5113241AMS-NAF2-TanserScott Gordon WReimers PSpies LTanser FIsrael-Ballard KThior ICoutsoudis AfalseA Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Trial on the Effect of a "feeding buddy" Program on adherence to the Prevention of Mother-To-Child-Transmission Guidelines in a Rural Area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.<h4>Background</h4>The uptake of prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) services has improved in South Africa but challenges remain, including adherence to the World Health Organization's (WHO) PMTCT recommendations of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), taking antiretroviral medication (ARV); testing for early infant diagnosis; and reducing stigma. Women who practice EBF for the first 6 months are less likely to transmit HIV to their infants, yet only 7% of women EBF for 6 months in South Africa. Adherence to these recommendations remains challenging because of difficulties relating to disclosure and stigma. To address this challenge, the feeding buddy concept was developed based on studies where ARV buddies have proved effective in providing support for women living with HIV. Budd2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Aug2025-04-26T16:29:11.677Z2019-03-27T02:29:11ZS-EPMC51132412735550010.1097/QAI.0000000000001059