BREASTFEEDING, COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN (0-23MONTHS) OF HIV NFECTED MOTHERS COMPARED TO NON-HIV INFECTED MOTHERS

Abstract

Infant feeding recommendations for HIV -positive mothers differ from those for mothers of unknown HIV-status. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the feeding practices, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding on the nutritional status of young children of HIV-infected mothers and uninfected mothers. A cross sectional case control study was conducted among HIV -positive and HIV -negative mothers with infants aged 0-23 months visiting health facilities for post natal care in the Bolgatanga Municipality. A total number of 182 mothers were interviewed with 32 mothers being HIV -positive whilst 150 were HIV -negative. Data was collected using quantitative methods. The mean age of the respondents was 26 ± 7.2 (mean ± SD) with a range of 15- 47 years. About 66% (21/32) of the HlV-positive mothers were within the age group of26- 35 years. Irrespective of HIV status mothers without any level of formal education were more likely to breastfeed their children than those with formal education (P<O.OO 1). However the practice of exclusive breastfeeding increased with increasing educational level (P<0.003). Younger mothers were less likely to breastfeed their children exclusively as compared to older mothers (P<O.OOO) irrespective of their HIV status. Also, 17.8% (31/174) of HIV-positive mothers fed their children with the first yellowish milk (colostrum) after delivery as compared to 82% (143/174) of HIV -negative mothers who did so. Only 7.4% (7/95) of HIV -positive mothers initiated breastfeeding earlier within the first hour of delivery as compared to 92.6% (88/95) of their HIV -negative counterparts. Complementary feeding was initiated before six months by 23.3% (7/30) of the HIV- positive mothers compared to 76.7% (23/30) of the HIV - negative mothers. HIV status of mothers had influence on the birth weight of the children because 2.7% (4/150) children whose mothers were HIV-negative were born with low birth weight whilst only 3.1 % (1132) children who were born to HIV-positive mothers had low birth weight. Underweight was significantly higher among children born to HlV -positive mothers as compared to children of HIV -negative mothers (15.6% versus 11.1 %, p<0.002). Moreover, stunting was significantly higher among the children born to HIV -positive mothers as compared to children of HIV-negative mothers (25.0% versus 12.3%, p<O.OOI) and also that of wasting was much significantly higher among the children of HIV -positive mothers as compared to HIV -negative mothers (20.0% versus 4.05%, p<O.OO 1). It is recommended that health workers should provide appropriate education on breastfeeding and also educate women on the effect of complimentary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children.