Infant feeding methods among HIV-positive mothers in Yei County, South Sudan

• Main Author: Anthony Yousepha Lasuba (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Health and Social Sciences Research Institute - South Sudan (HSSRI-SS), 2016-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2309-4605; 2309-4613
• Keywords: HIV/AIDS; prevention-of-mother-to-child transmission; infant feeding; South Sudan; Medicine; R; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: South Sudan Medical Journal, Vol 9, Iss 3, Pp 56-59 (2016)

Introduction: This study describes the infant feeding methods chosen by HIV-positive mothers in Yei County, South Sudan and the factors that influenced their choice. Methods: This cross-sectional study used quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data from a sample of HIV positive mothers from Yei Hospital Mother and Child Health (MCH) section, and St Bakhita Primary Health Care Centre. Results: The results showed that the mothers' levels of correct knowledge about HIV transmission to infants, and infant feeding guidelines to prevent transmission were high. Most mothers chose exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusions: The factors which were significantly associated with the choice of infant feeding methods included: marital status, level of education, income, knowledge about prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, cultural beliefs, social stigma and cost of infant feeding method.