Abstract:

Background: Serostatus disclosure of HIV/AIDS status among HIV/AIDS positive mothers can plays a major role on infant feeding practices. This study therefore focuses at determining the association of maternal Serostatus disclosure and feeding practices among infants born to HIV/AIDS positive mothers in Mwanza (Ilemela and Nyamagana districts).

Methods: A cross section study involving 290 HIV/AIDS positive mothers from reproductive child health clinic (RCHs) which are in prevention mother to child transmission program with their infant in Ilemela and Nyamagana Districts were conducted between May and September 2016. A structured questionnaire was used to assess social demographic, infant feeding practices and HIV/AIDS disclosure status of mothers. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Association was examined using chi-square test, and regression to control for confounding factors, p-value<0.05 indicated statistical difference and Odds ratio with confidence interval 95% was computed.

Results: Of 284 HIV-infected mothers included in the study, 87% (247) had disclosed their HIV status. The study revealed breastfeeding being a common practice 91.6%, (260) breastfed their children and among 176 mothers with infants of 6 months or less 92.61% (163) practiced exclusive breastfeeding. The study also shows significant association between education and disclosure status were found (p-value <0.001), occupation and disclosure (p-value<0.001) and mode of delivery (p-value<0.01).

Conclusion: The proportional of disclosure among HIV/AIDS mothers with infants is high. Exclusive breastfeeding is the common method of infant feeding practiced among HIV/AIDS mothers in Nyamagana and Ilemela district. Majority of the mothers introduce solid food to their infants at the age of 6 months.