Infant feeding practice of HIV positive mothers and its determinants in selected health institutions of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Avoidance of all breast-feeding by HIV infected mothers is recommended when replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable, and safe. Whereas for women whose HIV status is unknown or negative, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is the single infant feeding option recommended. Objective: To assess the infant feeding practice of HIV positive mothers and its determinants.Methods: A cross sectional study with analytical component was conducted in 13 purposively selected health institutions with ART and PMTCT facilities in Addis Ababa during March, 2008. A total of 327 HIV positive motherswith their young infants visiting the respective health institutions were recruited in order of arrival, and assessed for their infant feeding practices.Results: Exclusive replacement feeding (ERF), exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and mixed feeding (MF) were 46.8%, 30.6%, and 15.3% respectively. The predictors for choosing ERF were mode of delivery (p