Zelalem Birhan
Dilla University, Ethiopia
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Pediatr Therapeut
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding up to the completion of the sixth month of age with or with out HIV exposure is a national infant feeding recommendation for Ethiopia. Th e objective of the study was to collect data on barriers of exclusive breastfeeding up to six months and to describe the association between mixed feeding and HIV exposure.
Methods: A clinic based cross-sectional study was conducted in mothers who had postnatal pediatric ART follow up, Dilla Hospital, Ethiopia in Sep 2011. HIV infected mother with infants aged 6 to 18 months, attending the clinic were included in the study. Infants with specifi c feeding problems were excluded. Cluster sampling technique was used and infants fulfi lling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. A total of 190 mothers participated in the study. Th e statistical tests used were survival analysis.
Results: 112 mothers had initiated breastfeeding at birth. Breastfeeding was reconsidered and initiated early 3rd month in 7.7 %(6/78) of those who had chosen formula milk at birth. Th e median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 3 months (95% CI 2.75, 3.25). Th e rate of exclusive breastfeeding at 6 month was 25.9% (29/112). Bivariate analysis showed that maternal misunderstanding of infant feeding options (p= 0.005)and being HIV infected mother (p=0.022) were important associations of early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding.
