Abstract:
Appropriate feeding practices are of fundamental importance for the survival, growth, development, health and nutrition of infants and children but the transmission of HIV via breastmilk has led to various recommendations for the HIV positive mothers. This study was carried out to investigate predictors of infant feeding practices among HIV positive mothers enrolled in PMTCT services at a tertiary hospital in Enugu. A cross sectional descriptive design was used for the study. From a target population of 1,980 HIV positive registered mothers, a sample of 333 were purposively recruited for the study. Self developed interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed and results presented in tables as percentages, means and standard deviations. Chi-square test of association was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that the respondents had knowledge on modes of MTCT and recommended methods of infant feeding. 93.7% knew of exclusive breastfeeding while receiving antiretroviral therapy, 85.0% knew of replacement feeding such as artificial milk while 57.7% knew of mixed feeding .Also 51.4% practised exclusive breastfeeding, 30.0% practised replacement feeding, 16.2% practised mixed feeding,1.5% practiced wet nursing while 0.9% practised heat treatment of breast milk. Chi-square test of association revealed a significant relationships between educational level of mother and their current feeding practice ( p=.001) ,and age of child and their current feeding practice( p<.001) while marital status, age of mother, income and the religious affiliations did not predict their current feeding practices. Also other factors that influenced their choice of infant feeding were avoidance of MTCT of HIV, stigma of HIV, husband’s opposition/support, availability/affordability of milk, effect of counseling. In conclusion the HIV positive mothers involved in this study had knowledge of the recommended methods of infant feeding by WHO, that the HIV mothers current feeding practices were exclusive breastfeeding, replacement feeding and mixed feeding. Educational levels of mother, age of the child were the predictors of current feeding practice.
