title: Determinants of early child-feeding practices among HIV-infected and noninfected mothers in rural Kenya.
abstract: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from mothers with children aged 4 to 24 months to examine the determinants of child-feeding practices among HIV-infected and noninfected mothers in the rural parts of Kisumu District in Kenya. More than 40% of children had received other foods or drinks by 3 months of age. Home-based births, perceived small child size at birth, and larger household size were associated with significantly higher risks of premature cessation of exclusive breastfeeding. Maternal HIV infection, overweight/obesity, and having multiple "under-2's" were associated with higher risks of overall breastfeeding cessation. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with significantly lower risks of premature cessation of exclusive breastfeeding. Child-feeding decisions were often made postpartum. Mothers were more likely to discuss feeding methods with their partners only if they were HIV infected. Poverty was identified as a barrier to exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Constance A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gewa
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oguttu
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Savaglio
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D011203:Poverty; D012423:Rural Health; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014886:Weaning