Determinants of infant feeding practices among mothers living with HIV/AIDS in Bauchi Metropolis

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers is clearly linked to reduction in infant mortality.

Objective: This descriptive, cross-sectional study evaluated infant feeding practices and their determinants among 130 HIV-positive mothers in Bauchi metropolis.

Methods: Questionnaires administered by phone interviews were used to collect information on infant feeding practices, frequencies, percentages, chi-square and Spearman's rank correlation were used for data analysis.

Results: About 86% of the respondents were on ART while 19(14.3%) were not, 84(64.6%) of the mothers practised exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4 months, while 46(35.4%) gave their babies either water, infant formula or cereal pap. Forty seven (36.25%), 27(20.8%), 44(33.8%) and 12(9.2%) respondents respectively stopped breastfeeding their babies at 6 months, breastfed for <6 months, breastfed for > 6 months and did not breastfeed at all. Colostrum was given to infants by 76(58.6%) mothers, while 54(42.4%) discarded colostrum. Thirty two (25.0%) mothers put their babies to the breast immediately after delivery. Being on antiretroviral drugs, age and educational status were not associated with the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, while giving colostrum, putting the baby to the breast immediately after delivery, and marital status were associated with practising exclusive breastfeeding (r=0.238, p=0.003; r=1.000, p=0.000 and r=0.146, p=0.049) respectively.

Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding is commonly practised by HIV-positive mothers in Bauchi.

Keywords: Infant feeding, HIV/AIDS, exclusive breastfeeding