Determinants Of Infant Feeding Practices Research Articles

Determinants of infant feeding practices among Black mothers living with HIV: a multinomial logistic regression analysis

BackgroundInfant feeding practices are imperative for babies’ and mothers’ health and emotional wellbeing. Although infant feeding may seem simple, the decisions surrounding it are complex and have far-reaching implications for women globally. This is an especially difficult concern among mothers living with HIV because breastfeeding can transmit HIV from mother to child. This is further complicated by cultural expectations in case of Black mothers living with HIV. This paper discusses determinants of infant feeding practices among Black mothers living with HIV who were on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in two North American cites and one African city.MethodsA cross-sectional, multi-country survey using venue-based convenience sampling of Black mothers living with HIV was employed. The effective response rates were 89% (n = 89) in Ottawa, Canada; 67% (n = 201) in Miami, Florida, US; and 100% (n = 400) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, equaling a total sample size of 690. Data were collected in Qualtrics and managed in Excel and SPSS. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors influencing the mothers’ infant feeding practices (Exclusive Formula Feeding [EFF] = 1; Mixed Feeding [MF] = 2; and Exclusive Breastfeeding [EBF while on ART] =3).ResultsThe results highlight socio-demographics, EFF determinants, and EBF determinants. The statistically significant determinants of infant feeding practices included national guideline on infant feeding, cultural beliefs and practices, healthcare systems, healthcare personnel, infant feeding attitudes, social support, and perceived stress. Mothers’ mean ages were Ottawa (36.6 ± 6.4), Miami (32.4 ± 5.8), and Port Harcourt (34.7 ± 5.7). All sampled women gave birth to least one infant after their HIV diagnoses. Statistically significant (p < .05) determinants of EFF relative to MF were the national guideline of EFF (relative risk [RR] = 218.19), cultural beliefs (RR = .15), received healthcare (RR = 21.17), received healthcare through a nurse/midwife (RR = 3.1), and perceived stress (RR = .9). Statistically significant determinants of EBF relative to MF were received healthcare (RR = 20.26), received healthcare through a nurse/midwife (RR = 2.31), functional social support (RR = 1.07), and perceived stress (RR = .9).ConclusionWhile cultural beliefs and perceived stress favoured MF over EFF, advice of healthcare workers, and the care received from a nurse/midwife improved EFF over MF. Also while the mothers’ perceived stress favoured MF over EBF, advice of their nurses or midwife and the social support improved EBF over MF. The providers advice was congruent with WHO and national guidelines for infant feeding among mothers living with HIV. These results have implications for nursing, healthcare practice, and policies on infant feeding practices for mothers living with HIV.

Determinants of infant feeding practices among mothers living with HIV attending prevention of mother to child transmission Clinic at Kiambu Level 4 hospital, Kenya: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome is global pandemic with around 150,000 children infected with HIV in 2015. In Kenya, it is estimated that 11,000 children who are under 15 years old were infected. Safe infant feeding practices are the major important determinants of the prevention of mother to child transmission. The decision to breastfeed or not is considered a very tough choice for mothers living with HIV. This study assessed the infant feeding practices and its determinants among mothers living with HIV with infants 0–12 months old.MethodsThis was a mixed methods cross-sectional study adopting qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures. A sample of 180 systematically selected mothers living with HIV with infants 0–12 months old attending prevention of mother to child transmission clinic participated in the study.ResultsExclusive breastfeeding rate was 71.4%, mixed feeding (18.2%) and replacement feeding (10.4%). Complementary feeding with continued breastfeeding rate was 63.1%. Similarly, qualitative results showed that exclusive breastfeeding was the most preferred feeding method by mothers living with HIV. Age (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.19; (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.41, 0.85; p = 0.030) and infant feeding practice knowledge (AOR 0.20; 95% CI 0.06, 0.64; p = 0.007) were determinants of exclusive breastfeeding. Education AOR 0.17; 95% CI 0.03, 0.85; p = 0.002) and occupation (AOR 3.91; 95% CI 1.24, 12.32; p = 0.020) were determinants of complementary feeding with continued breastfeeding.ConclusionExclusive breastfeeding is attainable in this population. However, poor infant feeding practice knowledge led to non-adherence to safe infant feeding practices such as exclusive breastfeeding. Socio-demographic factors such as age, education and occupation were established as determinants of infant feeding practices among mothers living with HIV. Ministry of Health should come up with strategies on infant feeding counseling that are aligned to a local context, to allow mothers to understand the importance of recommended infant feeding options for HIV-exposed infants.

Determinants of Infant Feeding Practices Among HIV-Infected Mothers in Urban Kano, Nigeria.

Despite advances in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission, infants in Africa remain at risk of HIV acquisition from inappropriate feeding practices. To assess maternal knowledge and predictors of appropriate infant feeding practices among HIV-infected mothers attending a tertiary facility in Kano, Nigeria. A cross section of 203 HIV-positive mothers were interviewed using structured, pretested survey questionnaires. Knowledge scores and infant feeding practices were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to ascertain independent correlates of infant feeding practices in the study sample. Over a third (37.4%) of the participants were aware of the risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding. The proportion of participants with good, fair, and poor knowledge of recommended feeding options for HIV-exposed infants was 4.4%, 73.4%, and 22.2%, respectively. About three in four participants (73.9%) breastfed their index infants exclusively for the first six months. Approximately 7.4% of respondents practiced mixed feeding (breastfeeding plus infant formula). Counseling on infant feeding (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.16, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = [1.58, 4.15]) and hospital delivery (AOR = 3.02, 95% CI = [2.67, 7.84]) predicted appropriate infant feeding practice. Appropriate infant feeding practices were significantly associated with prior infant feeding counseling and delivery in a hospital setting. HIV-infected mothers in this setting should receive counseling on infant feeding early in their pregnancy and be educated on the importance of hospital delivery.

A study of determinants of infant feeding practices in a resettlement colony of Delhi, India

Background: Optimal infant and young child feeding practices, especially exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, could contribute significantly in reducing childhood malnutrition and improving child survival. The present study is designed to assess the prevalence of feeding practices among the mothers in an urban resettlement colony of Delhi Methods: A community based cross- sectional study was carried out in a resettlement colony of East Delhi among mothers with infants less than 6 months of age. Mothers were enrolled from Anganwadi Centres using systematic random sampling and a questionnaire was used to record information on feeding practices. Statistical analysis used: Chi square test, t test and multiple logistic regression analysis was done. Results: A total of 350 children were included. Breastfeeding (BF) was initiated within 1 h of birth in 51.7% of children. Pre-lacteal feeds were given by 18.5% of mothers. The prevalence of exclusive BF (EBF) for less than 6 months was 42% (147/350). One third (117/350) of mothers gave artificial feeding to their infants. Exclusive breastfeeding decreased with increasing age of infants and was significantly lower in families with higher income and who gave pre-lacteal feeding. Similarly, introduction of artificial feeding was significantly higher in families with higher income and working mothers Conclusions: In the present study the infant feeding practices in the resettlement colony were not satisfactory. There is need for skilled, sustained and practical help to the pregnant and lactating mothers by skilled counsellors at health facilities.

Determinants of infant feeding practices in a low socio-economic area: identifying environmental barriers to breastfeeding

ObjectiveTo identify environmental barriers to breastfeeding. MethodFocus groups were conducted with young women, parents-to-be, mothers, fathers and grandmothers in 1996 in northern Adelaide, South Australia (a low socio-economic area). ResultsSeven focus groups (4-8 participants per group) were conducted. Breastfeeding was seen as being embarrassing to do in public, and not possible to combine with paid employment. While fathers were not supportive of their partners breastfeeding in public, health professionals were seen as strong advocates of breastfeeding. Bottle feeding was perceived to be more convenient for the mother, more acceptable in public but not as good as breastfeeding for the baby. ConclusionAn environment that enables women to breastfeed is far from being achieved in this low socio-economic area, particularly in relation to breastfeeding in public. ImplicationsBreastfeeding promotion should have a public health focus, concentrating on creating a supportive breastfeeding environment through a multi strategy approach aimed not just at mothers but also at the community.

Factors that influence the choice of infant feeding.

To consider some of the many factors that influence the choice to initiate and continue breast-feeding. There is increasing recognition of the nutritional value and related health outcomes of breast-fed infants. Further research is essential to appraise the medical and social determinants of infant feeding practices, particularly the early discontinutation of breast-feeding. Paediatricians are in an ideal position to foster, encourage and support such research and to accept a wider role in advocacy of the infant's right to obtain optimal nutrition.