Factors influencing the infant feeding choices of HIV-positive mothers at a level two hospital in Cape Town
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Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mark Allen Healthcare
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Following the decision by the South African
Department of Health in 2012 to withdraw the provision of free
infant formula milk to HIV-exposed infants, policy makers have
grappled with the need to develop guidelines to help HIV-positive
mothers decide whether they should breastfeed their babies.
The objectives of this study were to assess the infant feeding
choices of HIV-positive mothers and to determine factors
influencing their behaviours prior to the process of withdrawing
the provision of free infant formula milk.
METHODS: A quantitative approach was employed in this study,
including the use of a survey to collect descriptive data on a
consecutive sample (n=100). Data analysis was carried out using
the IBM SPSS Version 20.
RESULTS: More than half (54%) of the participants indicated
that their infants were exclusively breastfed, and 46% of the
participants reported exclusively formula feeding. There was no
statistical difference between both groups with regards to: race;
employment status; obstetric history; HIV disclosure status;
knowledge and awareness of infant feeding recommendations or
policies regarding breastfeeding promotion.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study show that health-care
workers are the main providers of counselling on infant feeding.
Inconsistent messages from health professionals, health facility
practices and government policies were also observed.
Description
Keywords
HIV, South Africa, Infant feeding, Breastfeeding, Formula
Citation
Morgan J.J. & Jeggels J.D. (2015). Factors influencing the infant feeding choices of HIV-positive mothers at a level two hospital in Cape Town, African Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 9/2:66-70