Attitudes and perceptions towards infant feeding practices among HIV-seropositive women attending Baylor Family Model Clinic in Botswana

Abstract

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes towards infant feeding practices amongst HIV-infected women in Southern Botswana. A questionnaire-based survey was undertaken at Baylor Family Model Clinic in Gaborone. Subjects included postnatal women with HIV infection (Group 1, n=120) and antenatal women with HIV infection (Group 2, n=80). Advantages of breastfeeding and formula feeding according to several characteristics (convenience, cleanliness, cheapness and safety) were rated using a four-point (0-3) scale. Overall, breastfeeding was rated much higher (11.4/12) than Formula feeding (6.3/12) (p<0, 0005). Formula feeding rating was highest among postnatal women with HIV infection (6.8/12); however, it was lower than the rating for breastfeeding (11.3/12). The majority of women with HIV infection were either Formula feeding (Group 1, 92%) or intended to formula feed (Group 2, 78%) their infants for the first 6 months. All the women, despite their known HIV seropositive status still considered breastfeeding to be more advantageous than formula feeding. However, once women with HIV infection were informed of the reduced risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding while on anti-retroviral therapy, they should be better equipped to make their own decisions to follow the Botswana Ministry of Health’s 2011 PMTCT recommendations.

AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die kennis en houdings teenoor babavoeding onder MIV-geinfekteerde vroue in Suider-Botswana te ondersoek. 'n Vraelys-opname is gedoen by Baylor Familie Model Clinic in Gaborone. Onderwerpe het nageboortelike vroue met MIV-infeksie (Groep 1, N = 120) en voorgeboortelike vroue met MIV-infeksie (Groep 2, N = 80) ingesluit. Voordele van borsvoeding en formule-voeding volgens verskeie kenmerke (gerief, skoonheid, prys en veiligheid) was gegradeer met behulp van 'n vier-punt (0-3) skaal. In totaal is borsvoeding veel hoër gegradeer as formule- voeding (6.3/12) (p <0, 0005) (11.4/12). Formule-voeding se voorkoms is die hoogste onder nageboortelike vroue met MIV-infeksie (6.8/12), maar dit was laer as die voorkoms by borsvoeding (11.3/12). Die meerderheid van vroue met MIV-infeksie was óf op formule-voeding (Groep 1, 92%) of bedoel is om formule te voer (Groep 2, 78%) vir hul babas vir die eerste 6 maande. Al die vroue, ten spyte van hul bekende MIV-sero positief status, oorweeg borsvoeding om meer voordelig as formule-voeding. Sodra vroue met MIV-infeksie in kennis gestel word van die verminderde risiko van MIV-oordrag deur borsvoeding terwyl sy op anti-retrovirale terapie is, moet hulle beter toegerus word om hul eie besluite te maak by Botswana se Ministerie van Gesondheid se 2011 VMNKO aanbevelings te volg.