FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF INFANT FEEDING OPTIONS AMONG HIV POSITIVE MOTHERS ATTENDING SELECTED HEALTH FACILITIES IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Infant feeding is the practice of feeding an infant breast milk or formula or both. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that determined the factors influencing the choice of infant feeding options among HIV positive mothers attending selected Health facilities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Three objectives and research questions were used for the study. Population for the study comprised of 136 HIV positive mothers attending Antenatal clinic at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt and Rumuigbo Primary Health Center, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Sample size of 101 mothers drawn from the population through Yaro Yamane formula for sample size calculation. A 22 item self-structured Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection which was validated by the researchers and tested for internal consistency with reliability index of 0.94. Data for the study were generated through face to face administration of the instrument and data generated were presented in table and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Ethical approval was sought and obtained from University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) Human Research and Ethical committee. The study revealed that the factors that influence the choice of infant feeding options among HIV Positive Mothers in selected Health facilities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State are income of family (3.45), risk of Mother-child Transmission of HIV/AIDS (3.33), External pressure (2.91). Fear of stigmatization (2.86), Counseling on infant feeding (2.68), Advice of the health care provider (3.78), Knowledge of spouse on HIV status of partner (3.53), Pressure from various parties such as mother-in-law, husband, family and society in general (3.81), Need to supplement breast milk with complementary feeds for the baby’s nourishment (3.48), age of the mother (3.34), advice from neighbors (3.29), and maternal or infant illness (3.18). in conclusion, income of family, risk of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS, External pressure, and of stigmatization were key factors influencing the infant feeding choice option of the mother. I recommended that HIV positive mothers should be sensitized by HIV/PMTCT counselors so that they will be equipped with necessary knowledge to enable them identify proper infant feeding options.