Awareness about feeding options for infants born to HIV positive mothers and mother to child transmission of HIV in Gurage zone, south Ethiopia

Authors

  • Tefera Belachew
  • Challi Jira

Abstract

Abstract Background: Strategies to respond to the global HIV epidemic include preventing new infections and providing care and support to infected individuals. Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) is one of the strategies given high priority. Objective: To assess awareness of prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. Methods: A cross-sectional community based study was conducted in Gurage zone in October 13-28, 2004. A total of 657 participants were involved in the study. Data were collected by 12 grade completed trained enumerators using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Results: Overall, 84% of the respondents were aware of the recommended feeding options for infants below six months born to HIV positive women. Subjects who had good knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and those residing in the urban areas were more likely to mention the recommended feeding options, OR (95%CI)= 2.53(1.40, 4.56) and (95%CI)= 1.83(1.13, 2.96), respectively. Only 24% mentioned that mother-to-child transmission occurs via breast milk. Respondents with good knowledge on HIV/AIDS were twice likely to know the usefulness of VCT during pregnancy in preventing MTCT, OR (95%CI)= 1.84(1.09, 3.09). Conclusion: Awareness of the community about the risk of MTCT of HIV via breast milk was low. Urban residents and those who had good knowledge on HIV/AIDS were more likely to have correct knowledge on the feeding option for infants born to HIV positive mothers. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2007;21(1):40-47]

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Published

2016-12-06

How to Cite

Belachew, T., & Jira, C. (2016). Awareness about feeding options for infants born to HIV positive mothers and mother to child transmission of HIV in Gurage zone, south Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 21(1). Retrieved from https://ejhd.org/index.php/ejhd/article/view/559