Introduction: Grandmothers continue to play an import role in maternal and child health in sub-Saharan Africa. However, health policies and programs have paid little attention to the vital role grandmothers do play. The involvement of grandmothers upon maternal and child health enhance the health of the mothers and infants. This paper analyses the role of grandmothers in the prevention of transmitting HIV from mother to infant in rural Maputo province, in Mozambique.

Material and Method: We conducted a qualitative study consisting in semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with grandmothers as well as separate semi-structured interviews with nurses. We used Bourdieu’s theory of practice as the guideline framework for data analysis.

Results: The result showed grandmothers positioned themselves as caretakers and responsible for maternal and child health matters in the household. They functioned as advisers, supervisors and decision-makers during pregnancy, childbirth, infant care and breastfeeding. Nevertheless, grandmothers had limited knowledge regarding HIV-transmission prevention from a mother to her infant.

Discussion: The study’s findings suggest grandmothers acted as family representatives dealing with matters of maternal and child health. They also played a prominent role in educating new mothers about expected behaviours throughout pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Thus, grandmothers have a potential to influence compliance of medical advice among women of reproductive age. Therefore, healthcare providers should be aware of the role grandmothers play in matters of maternal and child health in the household. Moreover, grandmothers should be educated on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Keywords: grandmothers, pregnancy care, childbirth, breastfeeding, Mozambique

References: Ministério da Saúde (MISAU). Plano Nacional de Eliminação da Transmissão Vertical do HIV: 2012-2015. Maputo: MISAU. 2011.Bezner-Kerr R, Dakishoni L, Shumba L, Msachi and Chirwa M. “We grandmothers know plenty”: breastfeeding, complementary feeding and the multifaceted role of grandmothers in Malawi. Social Science & Medicine; 66: 1095-1105, 2008. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.11.019.Bourdieu P. Outline of a theory of practice. USA. Cambridge University Press; 1977.