Exclusive Breast Feeding Status and its Determinant among HIV Positive Women in West Showa Zone Oromia Region Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: During the first six months of their life replacement feeding is recommended for infants born from HIV positive women under the condition of acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe. Where this is not achievable, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is suggested during the first six months of life. Objective: To assess the EBF practice of HIV positive women and its determinants with in a selected health facilities of West showa zone Oromia region. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was carried out among HIV-positive women attending PMTCT service using structured questioners. Consecutive sampling technique was applied in order to interview women. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and multiple variable logistic regressions were done to identify risk factors of Exclusive breast feeding. Result: The proportion of exclusive breast feeding was 23.98%. Majority (79.34%) of the study subjects knew that HIV can transmit from mother to child during breast feeding. Mothers who had secondary educational status were three times more likely to give exclusive breast feeding than those who had no formal education (OR, 3.04 95% CI=2.72, 6.52). Mothers with household income earned 500-1000 birr were 2 times more likely to practice EBF than who earned 2000 birr (OR, 2.11 95% CI=1.93, 3.50). Compared to government employee women those who have self employee were 3.5 times more likely to practice EBF (OR, 3.51 95% CI=1.65-6.37). Mothers who delivered by C/S were 2.01 times more likely to practice EBF than those delivered by SVD (OR, 2.01 95% CI=1.07-4.38). Conclusion: The study revealed important findings which affect the practice of exclusive breast feeding of HIV positive mothers. All concerned bodies involvement is necessarily on infant feeding counseling to bring behavioral change in within communities for the better life of newborns.