Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is the most significant route and largest source of HIV infection in children below the age of 15 years. Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) is the package of interventions aiming at preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT). One of its interventions is provision of counseling on safe infant feeding in the era of HIV infection. With specific interventions in breastfeeding population the risk of MTCT can be as low as 5% or even less and to less than 2% in non breastfeeding population . [1]
OBJECTIVES -This study describes the level of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of safe infant feeding options among HIV infected mothers attending Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV clinic at Mbeya Referral Hospital.
METHODOLOGY-This was a descriptive cross sectional study which was conducted at a PMTCT of HIV clinic at Mbeya Referral Hospital. Participants were recruited consecutively until the estimated sample size was achieved. Data was collected by using a structured questionnaire. The data obtained was entered into EPI-INFO and then analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16.Knowledge on PMTCT and safe infant feeding was assessed by using the blooms cut off points and those with a score of 75-100% were regarded as having good knowledge. Univariate analysis for frequency computation was done to determine proportions.
RESULTS -The results showed that the participants who had good knowledge on MTCT were 57.2%, good knowledge on PMTCT 68.3% and good knowledge on safe infant feeding were 49.6%. Overall 105 (51.2%) of the respondents were positive while100 (48.8%) were negative about safe feeding options recommended to HIV infected mothers.
Regarding the infant feeding practices among the study participants 113(55.1)% practiced exclusive breast feeding 4(2.9%) exclusive replacement feeding and 86(41.9%) % practiced mixed feeding.
CONCLUSION -The results of this study indicated that nearly all women knew that HIV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child. With regard to the level of knowledge, about two thirds of the mothers had good to satisfactory knowledge on MTCT, PMTCT, and safe infant feeding options. Despite the high level of knowledge seen regarding the safe infant feeding options only half of the study participants were practicing exclusive feeding in the first six months of life.
