Comparison of infant- and young child-feeding practices among HIV-positive mothers and those of unknown HIV status in Buhweju district, Southwest Uganda
Abstract
Background: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices among HIV-positive mothers in Uganda have been reported to be much less likely to be in line with the recommended IYCF practices than mothers of unknown HIV status, which exposes their children to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess whether there were differences in IYCF practices among HIV-positive mothers and those of unknown HIV status.
Methods: Seventy-eight HIV-positive mothers of children aged 0-23 months were recruited at health centers that provide prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services. These mothers were matched (based on their child’s age and area of residence) to 78 mothers of unknown HIV status from the general population. The Infant and Child Feeding Index (ICFI) was used to estimate the proportion of children receiving the recommended standard of IYCF.
Results: Half of the mothers (50%) used pre-lacteals, 34% of the children were exclusively breastfed, and only 26% of the mothers practiced appropriate introduction of complementary foods. Compared to the mothers of unknown HIV status, the HIV-positive mothers were significantly more likely to introduce complementary foods before their children reached the recommended age of 6 months (p < 0.05). A majority of the children (88%) did not receive the recommended standard of IYCF, and feeding practices were significantly less likely to be in line with the recommended IYCF practices among HIV-positive mothers compared to those of unknown HIV status (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: There are large disparities in IYCF practices between HIV-positive mothers and those of unknown HIV status in rural areas of Uganda. These can be attributed to lack of knowledge about the recommended IYCF practices among health workers and mothers, breastfeeding discouragement, fear of mother-to-child HIV transmission, and missed opportunities to educate and counsel mothers on optimal IYCF practices.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18103/imr.v3i3.389
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