Preventing mother to child transmission : follow up for babies and infant feeding for HIV positive mothers in Khomas region, Namibia

Date
2010-03
Authors
Friis, Fredericka Ndeshi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study was carried out at Windhoek Central and Katutura Hospitals, Khomas Region, Namibia. Mothers living with HIV who have children aged 0-3 years participated in the study. It examined factors and the rationale why the majority of HIV positive mothers choose breastfeeding despite the risk of infecting their infants with HIV. It further aimed to establish the effectiveness of infant feeding counseling offered to pregnant women at ante natal clinics. The second part involved key informants from government ministries, local government and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) to determine specific programmes for mothers living with HIV in their institutions. Evidence was gathered from mothers living with HIV through questionnaires and documentation. The study revealed that mothers were offered counselling: 52.2% from nurses, 30.4% doctors and 17.4% HIV and AIDS Counsellors. Advice provided included the means on how to minimise HIV transmission during pregnancy, birth and during breastfeeding. Infant feeding options were discuss but breastfeeding was mainly recommended. The quality of counselling was not established. A number of women would like to understand more why mix feeding is not appropriate. The majority of respondents 72.4% said they breastfed their children, 25.0% used formula milk while 2.6% mixed feeding. Reasons for their choices comprised lack of money to buy formula milk and advice from the health workers. Respondents knew that HIV can be transmitted from a mother to her infant, and therefore preferred formula milk. However, they were not in a position to buy formula milk. It is thus recommended that government should consider providing formula milk to such mothers.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie is uitgevoer by Windhoek Sentraal en Katutara Hospitale in die Khomas Streek van Namibië. MIV-positiewe moeders met kinders tussen 0-3 jaar het aan die studie deelgeneem. Die doel van die studie was om te bepaal hoekom die meerderheid MIV-positiewe moeders verkies om te borsvoed, ten spyte van die risiko wat die inhou om moontlik MIV na hul babas oor te dra. ‘n Verdere doel was om die effektiwiteit van borsvoeding-berading, wat aan swanger vroue by voorgeboorte klinieke aangebied word, vas te stel. Inligting is ingesamel deur middel van vraelyste en dokumentasie. Die studie toon dat die moeders berading van verpleegsters, dokters en MIV/Vigsberaders ontvang het. Die berading het gefokus op hoe om die risiko van MIV-oordrag tydens swangerskap, geboorte en borsvoeding te verminder. Die kwaliteit van die berading is egter nie gemeet nie. ‘n Aantal moeders sal graag wil weet hoekom gekombineerde voeding nie aanbeveel word nie. Die meerderheid van die deelnemers (72.4%) het aangedui dat hul borsvoed, 25% gebruik formule melk en 2.6% gebruik ‘n kombinasie van die twee. Hoewel die deelnemers besef dat MIV deur middel van borsvoeding oorgedra kan word, is hul nie in die posisie om formule melk te koop nie. Die mees algemene rede waarom hul steeds borsvoed is ‘n tekort aan geld om formule melk te koop en ook ‘n tekort aan raad van gesondheidswerkers. Daar word dus aanbeveel dat die regering dit moet oorweeg om formule melk aan sulke moeder moet voorsien.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
Keywords
HIV/AIDS -- Namibia, Breastfeeding, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Infant feeding counseling -- Namibia
Citation