5. HIV/AIDS

Several of the Forum's themes are related to the issue of infant feeding in the context of HIV. It is also the theme of the UNICEF/WABA Colloquium that preceded the Forum and was summarized in plenary on the Forum's first day. For those who wanted to go deeper into it, the following workshops were offered.

I. Lessons Learned from Programmes to Prevent MTCT Through Breastfeeding - Dr. Michael C. Latham, Cornell University/WABA, USA, Facilitator

This workshop reviewed what is known, particularly from program evaluations, about what works and does not work. Again, participants were invited to share from any relevant experiences they have had.

II. HIV and Infant Feeding: The Basics - Dr. Peter Iliff, University of Zimbabwe Medical School/ZVITAMBO Project, Facilitator

This workshop reviewed the scientific issues, describing what is known about the possible biological mechanisms involved. It summarised the major studies that have been done so far. Major topics included the extent and timing of HIV transmission through breastfeeding and factors thought to influence this.

• Basic immunopathology of HIV - Thorkild Tyllekar, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway

• HIV and infant feeding: knowledge, gaps and challenges for the future - Nigel Rollins on behalf of Ellen Piwoz

• The impact of the HIV crisis on breastfeeding promotion activities in 4 African countries -  Dr. Michael Latham on behalf of Pauline Kisanga

• Infant and young child nutrition in the context of HIV/AIDS: accelerated support for country level implementation of global guidelines - Margaret Kyenkya-Isabirye, UNICEF New York

III. Breastmilk-Based Feeding for HIV-positive Mothers -
       Dr. Michael C. Latham, Cornell University/WABA, USA, Facilitator

So far artificial feeding, particularly the use of commercial infant formula, has received all the attention.  This workshop addressed this imbalance, including inviting participants to share any relevant experience they have of long-term feeding with expressed milk, milk from breast milk banks, and wet nursing.

• Breastmilk-feeding: the best replacement feed for the baby of the HIV+ mother - Pamela Morrison, IBCLC, Zimbabwe

• The Pretoria Pasteurisation method - Arjan de Wagt, UNICEF

• Banked milk for AIDS orphans in South Africa (video by Dr. Anna Coutsoudis) - Dr. Nigel Rollins, University Of Natal, South Africa

• The cost of replacement feeding in Zimbabwe - Clare D. Zunguza, SRN, SCM, Zimbabwe

IV. HIV and Breastfeeding: Research on PMTCT - Dr. Nigel Rollins,  University Of Natal, South Africa, Facilitator

This workshop began with brief oral presentations of research conducted by participants themselves and went on the discuss the role of research in PMTCT.

15. Information, Education, Communication/ IT

I. How to Develop Effective Health Communication Materials - David
    Curtis, Healthlink Worldwide UK, and Dr. Rob Vincent, Exchange               
    Programme, UK, Facilitators

This session was an active participatory workshop that drew on participants' experience in developing resources. It did not follow the format of a traditional presentation. The session looked at the particular problems and challenges faced in the process of developing resources and offered an introduction to the QUEST methodology - a hands-on approach to material development. The group shared ideas and experience and together built an outline of the common challenges experienced in producing resources.

II. People's Media and Breastfeeding Arts - Dr. Rob Vincent, Exchange      
     Programme, UK, Facilitator  

A workshop combining the skills of mobilising popular media such as pop singers (eg. Madagascar) and local songs and lullabies in breastfeeding promotion, and a slide presentation on "Breastfeeding in the Arts" featuring artists of all centuries from the Egyptians to portraits of Holy Mary. Participants were invited to share other examples of how they have successfully utilised alternative media strategies (eg. theatre, songs) and breastfeeding art in their advocacy work.

• A pop-singer as a breastfeeding ambassador: an innovative approach in Madagascar - Dr. Agnes B. Guyon, LINKAGES-AED, Ethiopia

• Nurture baby's natural process of learning through lullabies while breastfeeding  - Amara Peeris, Sarvodaya Women's Movement,  Sri Lanka

• Breastfeeding in the arts - Anne-Marie Kern, IBCLC Austria

III. Using Information Technology in Breastfeeding Promotion - Dr. Rob Vincent, Exchange Programme, UK, Facilitator

This workshop helped participants feel more comfortable working with information technology as part of their day-to-day networking on breastfeeding promotion and advocacy. It also looked at a more creative use of websites and other e-communications to enhance networking nationally and across the globe and provided information on how to set up information resources (such as e-groups and websites) for countries without. 

IV. Props-Making and Acting, the Pantomime Mums - Ines Fernandez,
       ARUGAAN, Philippines, Facilitator

Learn the art of advocacy through a new means of expression and practice your performance skills. This workshop will provide a lesson about how to use props, make-up, music and motion to communicate invaluable messages.