Assessment of Exclusive Breast-Feeding Practice among HIV-Positive Mothers in Abuja Nigeria

Assessment of Exclusive Breast-Feeding Practice among HIV-Positive Mothers in Abuja Nigeria

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##

   PDF
Submitted Feb 7, 2022
Published Mar 22, 2022
DOI https://doi.org/10.24018/clinicmed.2022.3.2.179
Abstract viewed = 335 times
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2022)
Section
Articles

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

  •   Casmir Ifeanyichukwu Cajetan Ifeanyi

    •    University of Abuja, Nigeria
  •   Janet Aribike

    •    National Open University of Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria
  •   Nkiruka Florence Ikeneche

    •    University of Abuja, Nigeria
  •   Lovina Nkechi Ukwueze

    •    National Open University of Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria
  •   Gladys Adaku Iroegbu

    •    National Open University of Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Empirically, exclusive breastfeeding has proved invaluable in the reduction of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and infant mortality particularly of children under-five years. Regrettably, breastfeeding practice is not widespread in most resource-poor sub-Saharan countries in Africa including Nigeria.


Objective: This study assessed the practice of exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first-six months of life by HIV-positive mothers after receiving care for prevention of mother-to-child transmission.


Methods: Between February 2019 and September 2021, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 388 HIV-positive mothers receiving care for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV at the Gwarinpa General Hospital in Abuja Municipal Area Council. HIV-positive mothers were enrolled and assessed for their practice of exclusive breastfeeding for the first-six months of the infant life. Structured questionnaires were used to survey for their socio-demographics, reproductive history, HIV and exclusive breastfeeding characteristics. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version SPSS 24.


Results: Overall, 68% of the HIV-positive mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Majority, 83% of the HIV-positive mothers had knowledge of the nutritional benefits of breast milk in the first-six months of infant’s life. In addition, 75% of them are aware that babies exclusively breastfed are healthier than those not so breastfed. Religious beliefs and education status positively influenced exclusive breastfeeding in 82% and 55% of the mothers respectively. However, 69% of HIV-positive mothers attest they had no communal norms and taboos against exclusive breastfeeding. In contrast, mothers’ occupation negatively influenced exclusive breastfeeding in 36% of the studied subjects.


Conclusion: This study found a significant increase in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding by HIV-positive mothers. It is evident that the practice of exclusive breastfeeding by HIV-positive mothers is dependent on their level of knowledge and awareness of its benefits in the first-six months of infant’s life.


Keywords: Assessment, exclusive breastfeeding, HIV-positive, infant, mother-to-child

References

Wake G, Mittiku, YM. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding practice and its association with maternal employment in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Breastfeed J. 2021; 16(1): 86.

Dukuzumuremyi JPC, Acheampong K, Abesig J, Luo J. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in East Africa: a systematic review. Int Breastfeed J. 2020; 15(1): 70.

Nabunya P, Mubeezi R, Awor P. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the informal sector, Kampala Uganda. PLoS ONE. 2020; 15: e0239062.

World Health Organization (WHO). Infant and young child feeding. [Internet] 2021 [cited 2022 Jan 26]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding.

World Health Organization (WHO) / United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). Breastfeeding Advocacy Initiative For the best start in life. [Internet] 2015 [cited 2022 Jan 26]. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/152891/WHO_NMH_NHD_15.1_eng.pdf?sequence=1.

World Health Organization. Sixty-fifth World Health Assembly, Geneva.2 6 [Internet] 2012 [cited 2022 Jan 26]. Available from: https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA65 REC1/A65_REC1-en.pdf.

Mebratu L, Mengesha S, Tegene Y, Alano A, Toma A. Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice and Associated Factors among HIV positive Mothers in Governmental Health Facilities, Southern Ethiopia. J Nutr Metab. 2020; 962054.

Samburu BM, Kimiywe J, Young SL, Wekesah FM, Wanjohi MN, Muriuki P. et al. Realities and challenges of breastfeeding policy in the context of HIV: a qualitative study on community perspectives on facilitators and barriers related to breastfeeding among HIV positive mothers in Baringo County, Kenya. Int Breastfeed J. 2021; 16(39): 1746-4358

Bansaccal N, Van der Linden D, Marot JC, Belkhir L. HIV-Infected Mothers Who Decide to Breastfeed Their Infants Under Close Supervision in Belgium: About Two Cases. Front Pediatr. 2020; 8: 248.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. [Internet] 2021[cited 2022 Jan 26]. Available from: www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/maternal-or-infant-illnesses/hiv.html.

Napyo A, Tumwine JK, Mukunya D, Waako P, Tylleskär T, Ndeezi G. Exclusive breastfeeding among HIV exposed infants from birth to 14 weeks of life in Lira, Northern Uganda: a prospective cohort study. Glob. Health Action. 2020; 13(1): 1833510.

Etowa J, Hannan J, Etowa EB, Babatunde S, Phillips JC. Determinants of infant feeding practices among Black mothers living with HIV: a multinomial logistic regression analysis. BMC Public Health. 2021; 21(1): 663.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Elimination of mother-to-child transmission, Progress in reducing new HIV infections among children has stagnated in recent years. [Internet] 2021 [cited 2022 Jan 26]. Available from: https://data.unicef.org/topic/hivaids/emtct/.

Amin O, Powers J, Bricker KM, Chahroudi A. Understanding Viral and Immune Interplay During Vertical Transmission of HIV: Implications for Cure. Front. Immunol. 2021; 12: 757400.

Kassa GM. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection and its associated factors in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect. Dis. 2018; 18(1): 216.

Ogbo FA. Is the Fear of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV A Key Determinant of Non-Exclusive Breastfeeding in Nigeria? Austin J HIV AIDS Res. 2016; 3(3): 1031.01-03.

National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). ‘National Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS: 2017 2021’. [Internet] 2017 [cited 2022 Jan 26]. Available from: https://www.childrenandaids.org/sites/default/files/2017-11/National-HIV-and-AIDS-Strategic-Framework.pdf.

United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 'AIDS info. Global data on HIV epidemiology and response. [Internet] 2020 [cited 2022 Jan 28]. Available from: https://aidsinfo.unaids.org/.

United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ‘Start free, Stay free, AIDS free: 2017 progress report’. [Internet] 2018 [cited 2022 Jan 28]. Available from: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/JC2923_SFSFAF_2017progressreport_en.pdf.

Avert Global information and education on HIV and AIDS, HIV and AIDS in Nigeria. [Internet] 2020 [updated 2020 Aug 05; cited: 2022 Jan 26]. Available from: www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around world/sub saharan africa/nigeria#footnote87_zctgepl.

Umeobieri AK, Mbachu C, Uzochukwu BSC, Elias A, Omotowo B, Agunwa C. et al. Perception and practice of breastfeeding among HIV positive mothers receiving care for prevention of mother to child transmission in South-East, Nigeria. Int Breastfeed J. 2018; 13:50.

Wikipedia.org. Federal Capital Territory. Abuja, Nigeria. [Internet] 2021 [updated 2022 Jan 25; cited 2022 Jan 26]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Capital_Territory,_Nigeria.

World Population Review. Abuja Population (Demographics, Maps, Graphs). [Internet] 2022 [cited 2022 Feb 5]. Available from: https://worldpopulationreview.com/world cities/abujapopulationInternet.

Cronbach L. Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika. 1951; 16: 297–334.

National Population Commission - NPC and ICF. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018 - Final Report. Abuja, Nigeria: NPC and ICF. [Internet] 2019 [cited 2022 Jan 28]. Available from: http://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR359/FR359.pdf.

Kyei-Arthur F, Agyekum MW, Afrifa-Anane GF. The association between paternal characteristics and exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana. PLoS ONE. 2021; 16: e0252517.

Olasinde YT, Ibrahim OR, Idowu A, Odeyemi AO, Olasinde A, Agelebe E. et al. Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices Among Mothers of Infants Less Than Six Months Attending an Immunization Clinic in Southwestern Nigeria. Cureus. 2021; 13(6): e15975.

Gejo NG, Weldearegay HG, W/tinsaie KT, Mekango DE, Woldemichael ES, et al. Exclusive breastfeeding and associated factors among HIV positive mothers in Northern Ethiopia. PLoS ONE. 14(1): e0210782.

Lenja A, Demissie T, Yohannes B, Yohannis M. Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practice to infants aged less than six months in Offa district, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Int Breastfeed J. 2016; 11: 32.

Eke C, Okafor V, Tagbo B, Onyire N, Ukekwe F, Muoneke U. Predictors of Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration among Mothers Attending Immunization Clinic in a Tertiary Health Facility in Enugu, Nigeria. Open J. Pediatr. 2019; 9: 62-74.

Tadesse F, Alemayehu Y, Shine S, Asresahegn H, Tadesse, T. Exclusive breastfeeding and maternal employment among mothers of infants from three to five months old in the Fafan zone, Somali regional state of Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health.2019; 19(1): 1015.

Usman A, Dairo D, Fawole O. Exclusive breastfeeding and HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional survey of mothers attending prevention of mother-to - child transmission of HIV clinics in southwestern Nigeria. Pan Afr. Med. J. 2015; 21: 309.

Mohammed A, Shehu U, Aliyu A, Zoaka I. Infant feeding options, practices and determinants of HIV-positive mothers in Abuja, Nigeria. Niger Med J. 2010; 5(1): 14-17.

Durmazoğlu G, Çiçek Ö, Okumuş H. The effect of spousal support perceived by mothers on breastfeeding in the postpartum period. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2021; 56: 57–61.

World Health Organization. Guideline: protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in facilities providing maternity and newborn services. [Internet] 2017 [cited 2022 Jan 28]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550086.

Al Ketbi MI, Al Noman S, Al Ali A, Darwish E, Al Fahim M. Rajah J. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of breastfeeding among women visiting primary healthcare clinics on the island of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Int Breastfeed J. 2018; 13:26.

Ekubagewargies DT, Mekonnen HS, Siyoum TM. Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of HIV Positive Mothers on Antiretroviral Treatment towards Infant Feeding in Gondar Town Health Institutions, North West Ethiopia, 2017. Int. J. Pediatr. 2019; 2019: 9107989.

Agho KE, Ogeleka P, Ogbo FA, Ezeh OK, Eastwood J, Page A. Trends and predictors of prelacteal feeding practices in Nigeria (2003–2013). Nutrients. 2016; 8(8): 462.

Hamze L, Mao J, Reifsnider E. Knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding practices: a cross-sectional survey of postnatal mothers in China. Midwifery. 2019; 74: 68 75.

Cozma-Petruţ A, Filip L, Banc R, Mîrza O, Gavrilaş L, Ciobârcă D, et al. Breastfeeding Practices and Determinant Factors of Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers of Children Aged 0–23 Months in Northwestern Romania. Nutrients. 2021; 13(11): 3998.

Adda L, Opoku-Mensah K, Dako-Gyeke P. “Once the child is delivered, he is no more your baby,” Exclusive Breastfeeding experiences of first-time mothers in Kassena-Nankana Municipality, Ghana - a qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020; 20: 575.

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). How Much and How Often to Breastfeed, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National [Internet] 2022. [updated 2022 Jan 13; cited 2022 Jan 28]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/breastfeeding/how-much-and-how-often.html.

Osibogun OO, Olufunlayo TF, Oyibo SO. Knowledge, attitude and support for exclusive breastfeeding among bankers in Mainland Local Government in Lagos State, Nigeria. Int Breastfeed J. 2018; 13: 38.

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##

How to Cite
Cajetan Ifeanyi, C. I., Aribike, J., Ikeneche, N. F., Ukwueze, L. N., & Iroegbu, G. A. (2022). Assessment of Exclusive Breast-Feeding Practice among HIV-Positive Mothers in Abuja Nigeria. European Journal of Clinical Medicine, 3(2), 13–19. https://doi.org/10.24018/clinicmed.2022.3.2.179