TY  - BOOK
AU  -  Rweyemamu, Anna
AU  -  Mwizamholya, Damas
TI  - Knowledge of HIV Transmission Through Breastfeeding Among Breastfeeding Mothers at Bugando Medical Hospital in Nyamagana District
PY  - 2016///
CY  - Mwanza, Tanzania: 
PB  - Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] :   
KW  -  
N2  - Abstract: 

Background: Mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV has been one of the major problems interfering with reproductive and child health services. It occurs when an HIV positive woman passes the virus to her baby. The transmission can be during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. MTCT has been documented to be the major cause of HIV morbidity among children less than 15 years of age. 

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge of HIV transmission through breastfeeding among breastfeeding mothers at Bugando medical centre Mwanza, Tanzania. 

Methodology: A prospective descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among breastfeeding mothers at Bugando medical centre hospital. Sampling procedure was by convenience and a total of 283 breastfeeding mothers were recruited in the study.  

Results: Out of 283 breastfeeding mothers who responded on the possibility of MTCT of HIV, 273 (96.5%) responded that they know about the possibility of mother to child transmission of HIV. However, 10 (3.5%), responded to know nothing about MTCT. Of the 273 breastfeeding mothers who reported to be aware of the MTCT, 208 (76.2%) reported intrauterine transmission as a way for MTCT. Transmission during intrapartum was reported by 118 (43.2%) and breastfeeding was reported by 217 (79.5%). However among them 283 breastfeeding mothers only 29 (10.6%) of them mentioned all the three modes of transmission. Out of 283 breastfeeding mothers 255 (90.1%) knew that HIV transmission from mother to child can be prevented while 28 (9.9%) didn’t know. 21 (8.3%) mentioned exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months as one of the ways of prevention and 122 (47.9%) mentioned using antiretroviral drugs as another means of prevention of transmission of HIV from mother to child. 

Conclusion: A large proportion of breastfeeding mothers know about the possibility of MTCT of HIV through breastfeeding, and a satisfactory proportion knows at least two ways through which MTCT of HIV can occur. Also, a good number of breastfeeding mothers are aware of the possibility of PMTCT of HIV infection. 

Recommendation: The promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for six months should be stressed to HIV positive mothers. The government and other NGOs should enhance income generating activities for women especially in rural areas so that they could afford the infant formulas if they opt not to BF when found HIV positive. The Government should assist and support hospitals, health centres and dispensaries in facilitating PMTCT services.

ER  -