title: Factors affecting the duration of exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-infected and -uninfected women in Lusaka, Zambia.
abstract: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is optimal for infant health and is associated with decreased risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission compared with mixed feeding of breast milk and other foods. To investigate why many women stop EBF before the recommended 6 months, maternal and infant health and infant-feeding data were collected from 177 HIV-infected and 177-uninfected Zambian women regularly from 34 weeks gestation to 16 weeks postpartum. Despite strong support for good breastfeeding practice, only 37% of women were still EBF at week 16. Factors significantly associated with shorter duration of EBF were primiparity, maternal systemic illness, and infant length at 6 weeks. The results suggest that the association of EBF with lower rates of mother-to-child HIV transmission may not be causal but may be secondary to the reduced duration of EBF associated with poor maternal or infant health. Programs supporting EBF should include support for maternal health.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chisenga
authors.forename: Lackson
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kasonka
authors.forename: Mpundu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Makasa
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sinkala
authors.forename: Chifumbe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chintu
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kaseba
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kasolo
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomkins
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Filteau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000635:transmission*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods; D041943:Infant Formula; D007229:Infant Welfare; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D015024:Zambia