Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, over 1,000 newborns are infected with HIV every day, despite available medical interventions. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) remains one of the primary sources of HIV infection in children and without interventions 40% of babies born from HIV-positive mothers would be infected with the virus. It is estimated that 300 000 children become infected with HIV worldwide, whilst 1.5 million children die when their mothers opt for other choices instead of breastfeeding. The purpose of the study was to assess and describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV-positive mothers regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Kavango East Region in Namibia. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey that used convenience sampling, as the researcher sought to use subjects available during the time of study to select 79 HIV positive mothers. Participants in this study (94%; n=51) had good knowledge of the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding and that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child. The results confirmed that (77.2%; n=42) of the mothers opted to take ART with the babies until they stop breastfeeding. HIV positive mothers had good knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. A significant number of mothers were, however, not sure about breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months as they would stop if offered free formula milk for the baby. Support by the fathers and others in the community is vital.
Highlights
The advent of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the fact that it can be transmitted from mother to child through breastfeeding has brought a major public health concern to many low income countries with a high prevalence of HIV1
The questionnaire included the demographic profiles of participants and questions relating to knowledge of the respondents assessed the knowledge of HIV positive mothers regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding
This study set out to assess and describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV-positive mothers regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Kavango East Region in Namibia
Summary
The advent of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the fact that it can be transmitted from mother to child through breastfeeding has brought a major public health concern to many low income countries with a high prevalence of HIV1. The rate of transmission in the region is believed to be higher, especially during the postnatal period where some HIV-positive mothers opt to cease breastfeeding exclusively due to pressure from traditional norms, lack of proper practical support and education on the breastfeeding practice[4]. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) remains one of the primary sources of HIV infection in children and without interventions 40% of babies born from HIV-positive mothers would be infected with the virus. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess and describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV-positive mothers regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Kavango East Region in Namibia. Attitudes and practices of HIV-positive mothers regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding at a regional hospital in the north east of Namibia. Afri Health Sci. 2021;21(3). 1074-1082. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ ahs.v21i3.15
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