Factors that influence infant feeding choices and practices among HIV positive mothers in Musoma municipal
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Date
2011
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Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The choice of infant feeding method is important for HIV mothers in order to optimize the
chances of survival of their infants and to minimize the risk of HIV transmission. The aim
of this study was to investigate factors influencing infant feeding choices of methods and
practices among HIV positive pregnant mothers in Musoma municipal. A cross sectional
design involving a total of 84 HIV positive mothers attending antenatal clinic under
PMTCT programme was employed. Structured interviews were administered to all
mothers to be studied at ANC (antenatal clinic) while semi-structured interviews were
administered to few selected mothers from the sample. Observation method was also
employed throughout the study. The choices made were exclusive breast feeding for six
months (54.8%), exclusive breast feeding for three months (29.8%) and exclusive
replacement feeding (14.2%). There were no significant association (p-value > 0.05)
between education level of respondents and choices of infant feeding. Major factors
influencing infant feeding choices were economic factors (35.7%). advice from health
workers (20.2%), advice from friends and other relatives (19.0%) as well as fear of
transmitting HIV to their infants (7.8 %). Misconceptions were noted among mothers
knowledge related to HIV, MTCT, PMTCT and infant feeding. There was some
discrepancy between infant feeding choice which were made before delivery and actual
practices after delivery. Major challenges faced mothers in practicing method of their
choice were financial constraints, insufficient milk as well as health related problems
among their infants. It is therefore recommended that governments and donors should
economically empower HIV positive mothers to improve their economic status as well as
to educate them on how best to practice safe breast feeding since it is the most preferred
infant feeding choice. The whole community should be educated on PMTCT programmes
so that can support mothers to make infant feeding choices.
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Master's Theses
Keywords
Infant feeding choices, HIV positive mothers, nfant feeding practices, HIV positive pregnant mothers