Conference abstract

Prevalence of breast feeding among HIV positive women and its associated risk in Khomas region, Namibia

Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2017:3(84).27 Oct 2017.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2017.3.84.233
Archived on: 27 Oct 2017
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Keywords: PMTCT, HIV+ mothers, breast feeding, HIV exposed infants
Oral presentation

Prevalence of breast feeding among HIV positive women and its associated risk in Khomas region, Namibia

Scaramoush Lilliane Crentsil1, Kofi Nyarko1,&

1Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Windhoek, Namibia

&Corresponding author
Kofi Nyarko, Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

Introduction: in 2015 September, WHO implemented new PMTCT breastfeeding guidelines which recommend lifelong antiretroviral treatment for all pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV. Breastfeeding however, remains an important route of mother-to-child HIV transmission, though studies have revealed that breastfed HIV exposed babies face better health prospects, and should be encouraged. The objectives of this study were to determine the trends of the prevalence of breastfeeding among HIV positive mothers from 2012-2016 and evaluate the association between breastfed HIV exposed infants and infants testing positive at 6 months.

Methods: a descriptive retrospective study was conducted using secondary hospital-based data from Khomas region, Namibia 2012-2016. Frequencies and proportions were generated for the demographic and clinical variables using Epi Info 7.2. Associations were determined at p-value < 0.05 using chi-square test.

Results: there was a total of 15,788 HIV positive mother recorded from 2012 - 2016 of which 12,304 (78%) practiced breast feeding. There was a general decline in the breast-feeding rate 3707/4376 (85%) in 2012 to 2065/2835 (72%) in 2016 (p-value = 0.0001). There were high proportion of babies 543/1779 (30.5%) of HIV+ mother who breast feed and turned HIV+ at 6 months compared to 326/ 1345 (24.2%) of HIV+ mothers who did not breast feed (p-value = 0.0001).

Conclusion: the prevalence of breast feeding among HIV exposed infant have generally declined and there was also a further decline in the prevalence of breastfeeding among HIV positive mothers in the year 2016 after the new breastfeeding guidelines was introduced. Breastfeeding of HIV exposed infants by their mothers was found to be associated in with HIV infection. We recommend review of the guideline to ensure we achieve our PMTCT targets.