The Experiences of Making Infant Feeding Choices by African, Caribbean and Black HIV-Positive Mothers in Ontario, Canada

Background: Despite the nutritional, physiological and emotional benefits of breastfeeding, HIV-positive mothers cannot practise exclusive breastfeeding for six months because of a range of influences on their feeding choice – thereby creating a caveat for morbidity in infants.Aim: This study explored factors influencing the infant feeding choice of HIV-positive mothers at a peri-urban hospital in Tembisa, South Africa.Methods: This study was qualitative and was conducted among 30 purposefully selected postnatal HIV-positive mothers at Tembisa hospital, Gauteng, from May to June 2011. In-depth interviews were conducted mainly in isiZulu and Sepedi which were then transcribed into English. An open coding system of analysis was used for thematic analysis.Results: Nurses significantly influenced the feeding choices of new mothers – sometimes with inconsistent information. The grandmothers of infants also influenced the new mothers’ feeding options, in some cases with the new mother coming under duress. Other relatives like the sisters and aunts of mothers appeared to significantly affect feeding choices. The time frames expressed for the initiation of a supplementary diet were as follows: before 1 month, at 1 month and at 4 months. The main reason was the belief that infants required more than breast milk as sustenance during this period.Conclusion: In the postnatal hospital setting of this study, the feeding choices of mothers were influenced by nursing personnel. Nursing personnel could marry the influential ‘authority’ they have with correct and consistent information, in order to change feeding behaviour. Significant ‘others’ like grandmothers and other relatives also influenced decisions on infant feeding. As such, family dynamics need to be considered when encouraging breastfeeding.

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Factors influencing the infant feeding choices of HIV-positive mothers at a level two hospital in Cape Town

African Journal of Midwifery and Women s Health ◽

10.12968/ajmw.2015.9.2.66 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 66-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jenna J Morgan ◽

June D Jeggels

Keyword(s):

Infant Feeding ◽

Cape Town ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Hiv Positive Mothers ◽

Feeding Choices

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Inappropriate infant feeding practices of HIV-positive mothers attending PMTCT services in Oromia regional state, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

International Breastfeeding Journal ◽

10.1186/s13006-018-0181-x ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Daba Ejara ◽

Demelash Mulualem ◽

Samson Gebremedhin

Keyword(s):

Infant Feeding ◽

Feeding Practices ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Infant Feeding Practices ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Regional State ◽

Hiv Positive Mothers

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Knowledge, attitude and practice of infant feeding in the first 6 months among HIV-positive mothers at the Queen Mamohato Memorial hospital clinics, Maseru, Lesotho

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine ◽

10.4102/phcfm.v10i1.1438 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Stephen O. Olorunfemi ◽

Lilian Dudley

Keyword(s):

Infant Feeding ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Child Transmission ◽

Pmtct Programme ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Attitude And Practice ◽

Hiv Positive Mothers ◽

Mother To Child ◽

Knowledge Attitude And Practice ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Background: The balance between the risks of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through breastfeeding and its life-saving benefits complicates decisions about infant feeding among HIV-positive mothers in the first 6 months.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of infant feeding among HIV-positive mothers attending the prevention of mother-to-child transmission services in Maseru, Lesotho.Method and setting: This observational cross-sectional study was done by collecting data from HIV-positive mothers attending the filter clinics of Queen Mamohato Memorial hospital in Maseru, Lesotho. HIV-positive mothers with infants below the age of 6 months attending the clinics at the time of the study were interviewed using a standardised questionnaire. We described the sociodemographic profile of the mothers, the information and education received on prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) infant feeding options, the mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices of infant feeding, and assessed risk factors for improved knowledge, attitudes and practices. Results: The majority (96%) of the 191 HIV-positive mothers who participated in the survey knew about the PMTCT programme and related breastfeeding services. Most of the participants chose to breastfeed (89%), while only 8% formula-fed their infants. Knowledge received during the PMTCT programme was significantly associated with the decision to exclusively breastfeed their infants. Earlier infant feeding counselling and education was associated with more exclusively breastfeeding as compared to late infant feeding counselling (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study found that HIV-positive mothers attending health clinics in Maseru, Lesotho, had high knowledge, and appropriate attitudes and practices with respect to infant feeding; and that early counselling and education improved infant feeding methods among these mothers.

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