Level of Knowledge, Attitude and Associated Factors among Women toward Breastfeeding in the Era of HIV/AIDs, Jabi Tehinan Woreda, Northwest Ethiopia, 2012

Abstract

Introduction: For infants born to HIV-positive mothers breast milk can be a source of HIV infection, although the risk of transmission greatly decreases if exclusive breast-feeding (EBF) is practiced. Without intervention to prevent mother-to-child transmission, 30-45% of infants born to HIV-positive mothers in developing countries become infected during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. Objective: The main aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and associated factors among women with unknown HIV status towards breast feeding in the era of HIV/AIDS. Method: Institution based cross sectional study was employed on 408 women with unknown HIV status who had visit in MNCH service at Jabi Tihenan governmental health institutions during the study period. Data were collected through interview using questionnaire. Logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with outcome variable. Result: Among those 376 women only 106 (28.1%) had sufficient knowledge about recommended breastfeeding for infant born from HIV positive mothers and 36 (9.6%) had favorable attitude toward breastfeeding for infant born from HIV positive mothers. Being urban residence (AOR: 3.842, 95% CI: (1.18, 12.48)), having counseling (AOR: 3.842, 95% CI: (1.18, 12.48)) about HIV/AIDS, Age of women and women educational status were found to have positive association with women’s knowledge. Women’s PNC follow up (AOR: 3.10, 95% CI: (1.19, 8.06)) and having education about HIV/AIDS (AOR: 5.28, 95% CI: (1.06, 26.39)) found to have significant association with attitude of women. Conclusion: Knowledge toward breastfeeding for infant born from HIV positive women for this study was low and attitude toward breastfeeding for infant born from HIV positive women was not high enough. Different factors were affecting this low level of knowledge and attitude. The relevant stakeholders should create opportunity for women to get education about HIV/AIDS and recommended breastfeeding for infant born from HIV positive mother.