title: Infant-feeding practices among HIV-infected mothers in an HIV-treatment programme.
abstract: The transmission of HIV via breastmilk has led to various recommendations for HIV-infected mothers. In this study, the feeding practices of HIV-infected mothers in the first six months of their infants' lives were evaluated. In total, 103 consecutive mothers of children, aged 6-24 months, were evaluated for their feeding practices in the first six months of their infants' lives. The mothers were recruited in two cohorts based on their entry (PMTCT cohort) or non-entry (non-PMTCT cohort) to an HIV MTCT-prevention programme. Information obtained included maternal age, socioeconomic class, and the educational level attained. All the babies in the non-PMTCT cohort were breastfed compared to none in the PMTCT cohort. Infant formula was inadequately prepared for 77.42% of babies in the non-PMTCT cohort compared to 18.64% in the PMTCT cohort. The mixed-feeding rate was high (70.45%) in the non-PMTCT cohort. Over 70% of babies in both the cohorts were bottle-fed. Voluntary counselling and testing services in the healthcare system should be strengthened. All mothers should receive infant-feeding counselling, with exclusive breastfeeding being encouraged in those with unknown HIV status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University of Benin/University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. sadohehi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Wilson E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Sadoh
authors.forename: Ayebo E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sadoh
authors.forename: Kayode A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Adeniran
authors.forename: Blessing I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Abhulimhen-Iyoha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007225:Infant Food / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D009549:Nigeria; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors