Infant Feeding Practice and Associated Factors among HIV Positive Mothers in Jigjiga Town, Ethiopia

Introduction: Breastfeeding is a pillar of child survival. However, since the early 1980's when it was discovered that HIV could be transmitted to infants through human milk, the healthfulness of breastfeeding has been questioned because of the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The rate of transmission through breast feeding of the disease is 5-20%. The two postnatal strategies to prevent MTCT are exclusive replacement feeding and exclusive replacement feeding. Nonetheless, some factors like HIV status disclosure, socio-cultural influence and knowledge of the mother about MTCT through breast feeding are known to influence feeding practices. Objective: Infant feeding practice and associated factors among HIV positive mothers who are attending health institution in Jigjiga town, Ethiopia. Method: A cross sectional quantitative study was conducted among HIV positive mothers in health institution with ART and PMTCT facilities in Jigjiga town from February to March, 2015. Bivariate and a multiple logistic regression were employed to see the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Result: The current study demonstrated that (93.6%) of the respondents were practices exclusive breast feeding while small proportion (6.4%) of HIV positive mothers had practice of mixed feeding. Concerning feeding practice after delivery, (6.4%) mothers gave their infants liquids or food before initiating breastfeeding. As to this finding revealed mothers decision on infant feeding was influenced by various predictors. Regarding to disclose HIV status, those respondents who were less disclosed their HIV status was significantly associated with mixed feeding practice. Conclusion and Recommendations: As to this finding revealed after delivery, (6.4%) mothers gave their infants liquids or food before initiating breastfeeding. Health workers and supporters should provide continuous infant feeding options to HIV positive mothers to enhance compliance to exclusive breastfeeding and encourage and assist HIV positive mothers to disclose their HIV status to their husband/spouse. To select safer infant feeding options, mothers' decision should be respected, and influencing mothers' to introduce other food to the infant should be avoided.