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Promotion of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among HIV-positive Mothers: an Exploratory Qualitative Study

Overview
Journal Int Breastfeed J
Publisher Biomed Central
Date 2016 Apr 23
PMID 27103938
Citations 15
Authors
Alice N Hazemba
Busisiwe P Ncama
Sello L Sithole
Affiliations
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Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding has the potential to reduce infant and under-five mortality, but research shows the practice is not widespread in resource-poor settings of sub-Saharan Africa. We explored factors influencing the decision to exclusively breastfeed among HIV-positive mothers accessing interventions for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in selected sites of Zambia.

Methods: This exploratory qualitative study was embedded in research conducted on: HIV and infant feeding; choices and decision-outcomes in the context of prevention of mother-to-child transmission among HIV-positive mothers in Zambia. Thirty HIV-positive mothers and six key informants were recruited from two health facilities providing mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention services. A semi-structured guide was used to conduct interviews, which were digitally recorded and simultaneously transcribed. Data coding and analysis was done with the support of QRS Nvivo 10 version software.

Results: Despite the known benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, gaps in understanding and potential for behaviour change remained. We found that information promoting exclusive breastfeeding may have been understood by mothers as instructions from the health care workers indicating how to feed their HIV-exposed babies rather than as an option for the mothers' own informed-decision. This understanding influenced a mother's perceptions of breast milk safety while on antiretroviral medicine, of the formula feeding option, and of the baby crying after breastfeeding. The meanings mothers attached to exclusive breastfeeding thus influenced their understanding of breast milk insufficiency, abrupt weaning and mixed feeding in the context of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Conclusion: In order to enhance feeding practices for HIV-exposed infants, our study suggests a broader health campaign supporting all mothers to exclusively breastfeed.

Citing Articles

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Zunza M, Thabane L, Kuhn L, Els C, Lombard C, Cotton M Int Breastfeed J. 2025; 20(1):5.

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Human immunodeficiency virus exposed child feeding and maternal enriching factors.

Desalegn B, Legesse M, Bizuneh F J Nutr Sci. 2024; 13:e49.

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Feasibility, acceptability and lessons learned from an infant feeding intervention trial among women living with HIV in western Kenya.

Maltby A, Odhiambo B, Nyaura M, Shikari R, Tuthill E BMC Public Health. 2023; 23(1):1930.

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The Effect of Breast Massage Training on Self-Efficacy and Perceived Stress of Prim Parous Women: A Clinical Trial Study.

Ramezani S, Garkaz O, Khosravi A, Ghasemi Z, Paryab S, Bolbolhaghighi N Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2023; 28(3):352-356.

PMID: 37575508 PMC: 10412802. DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_87_20.

Financial and Food Insecurity are Primary Challenges to Breastfeeding for Women Living with HIV in Western Kenya: A Longitudinal Qualitative Investigation.

Tuthill E, Maltby A, Odhiambo B, Akama E, Dawson-Rose C, Cohen C AIDS Behav. 2023; 27(10):3258-3271.

PMID: 37043052 PMC: 10577374. DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04046-8.

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