Feeding Practices of Infants Born of HIV Positive Sex Worker Mothers in Kenya

This study assessed the feeding practices of infants born to HIV positive sex worker mother at SWOP (sex worker outreach programme) clinic. To achieve the objective of the study, a descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The target population included 512 mothers from SWOP clinic. The primary data was collected by a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square. Selection was purposive whereby the research nurse got all eligible HIV positive sex worker mothers who know their HIV status prior to obtaining consent of the study. The study included known HIV positive sex workers mothers who are clients at SWOP clinic, and have infants. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Chi- square test was used. The study therefore recommends that the Ministry of Health develop a policy to support HIV positive sex worker mother access the infant formula, as they are likely to practice mixed feeding, which could compromise the health of their infants. Further research to establish the nutrition status of infant born of HIV positive sex worker mother should be done.