Exclusive breastfeeding in the era of AIDS.
The aim of this study was to describe breastfeeding practices, as well as what pregnant women know about breastfeeding and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, and explore factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding, especially in the presence of HIV/AIDS. A cross-sectional interview survey of 500 pregnant women was conducted in the Kilimanjaro region, supplemented by focus group discussions with pregnant women. Among the 309 mothers having previously breastfed, 85% had initiated breastfeeding within the first few hours postpartum, and 18% of newborns received some prelacteal food. Mean duration of breast-feeding was 23.7 months, but 46% of mothers had introduced other fluids early. Knowledge of HIV-transmission through breastfeeding was not associated with breastfeeding practices. Married women (odds ratio [OR] = .09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .04-.24) and those having knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding (OR = .08, 95% CI = .02-.31) were the least likely to end exclusive breastfeeding early. Exclusive breastfeeding is a rare practice, and MTCT of HIV may further complicate recommendations with regard to this practice.
de Paoli
M
M
Institute for Nutrition Research, University of Oslo, PO Box 1046, 0316 Oslo, Norway.
Manongi
R
R
Helsing
E
E
Klepp
K I
KI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D013636:Tanzania; D014505:Urban Population