Knowledge and practices of HIV positive mothers on breastfeeding and infant feeding options in Ndola District (new Masala, Lubuto, Kabushi, Bwafwano and Kawama Health Centers).

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the knowledge and practices of HIV infected and breastfeeding mothers on infant feeding options in the following health centers; Masala. Kabushi. Lubuto, Bwafwano and Kawama in Ndola district. The research was necessitated by the fact that despite nurses and midwives counseling mothers on infant feeding and HIV, 95% of them opted to breastfeed despite knowing their HIV status. Literature review revealed that studies have been done in various countries in Africa where effective infant feeding has been proven to help in Preventive Mother To Child Transmition (PMTCT). Nationally, studies indicate that the PMTCT program has been on-going but no study has been done to find out what could be the most appropriate infant feeding option. In this study, a cross sectional study design was used. A pilot study was carried out at Chipulukusu clinic and the actual study was done in the health centers mentioned above, where PMTCT program was actively being implemented. The research participants were chosen using systematic sampling method and the sample size consisted of 50 postnatal mothers who were HIV positive and had come to the health center for the first (1st) postnatal visit. Data collection was done using a semi- structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed manually using a data master sheet, frequency tables, pie charts and cross tabulations which were used to determine special relationships between variables. The study revealed that 94% of the respondents had heard about infant feeding and HIV. It also revealed that 100% of the widows and those separated from their spouses had high level of knowledge as well as practicing good and safe infant feeding. Despite majority of the respondents having adequate knowledge on infant feeding, the study revealed that 53% had been practicing mixed feeding. The study revealed a relationship between knowledge and practices. The respondents with high level of knowledge had good and safe practices of infant feeding. The study also revealed that majority of the respondents had not been counseled on the choice of infant feeding option.