Knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV-positive mothers regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding at a regional hospital in the north east of Namibia

Abstract

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, over 1,000 newborns are infected with HIV every day, despite available medical in- terventions. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) remains one of the primary sources of HIV infection in children and without interventions 40% of babies born from HIV-positive mothers would be infected with the virus. It is estimated that 300 000 children become infected with HIV worldwide, whilst 1.5 million children die when their mothers opt for other choices instead of breastfeeding.
 Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess and describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV-positive mothers regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding at Rundu Intermediate Hospital, Kavango East Region in Namibia.
 Method: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey that used convenience sampling, as the researcher sought to use subjects available during the time of study to select 79 HIV positive mothers.
 Results: Participants in this study (94%; n=51) had good knowledge of the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding and that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child. The results confirmed that (77.2%; n=42) of the mothers opted to take ART with the babies until they stop breastfeeding.
 Conclusion: HIV positive mothers had good knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the benefits of exclusive breast- feeding. A significant number of mothers were, however, not sure about breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months as they would stop if offered free formula milk for the baby. Support by the fathers and others in the community is vital.
 Keywords: Knowledge; HIV; breastfeeding; attitudes; practices; HIV-positive mothers; Namibia.

Nutritional knowledge and practices of mothers with malnourished children at a regional hospital in northeast Namibia

“…However, these findings are similar to a study by Ashipala et al . 16 who indicated that HIV-positive and working mothers can still breastfeed exclusively by giving expressed breast milk. While 38 (63%) of the respondents indicated that a mother should not introduce other food to an infant before they are six months old.…”

“…7 Although studies have been done in Namibia on the knowledge and practices of mothers on nutrition, these only covered the Oshikoto region, 15 while Ashipala et al and Nangolo concentrated on exclusive breastfeeding in the northern east and Khomas regions respectively. 11 , 16 One of these studies revealed that the majority of mothers with malnourished children were uneducated and thus they had no knowledge of how to take care of their children. 14 However, little is known about the knowledge and practices regarding feeding in Namibia.…”