Abstract

Background: Vertical transmission is Human immunodeficiency virus transmission from a human immunodeficiency virus-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding. In the absence of an intervention during these times, rates of Human immunodeficiency virus transmission from mother-to-child can be between 15-45%. Objective: To assess the infant Feeding Practice of human immunodeficiency virus positive mothers and examine Human immunodeficiency virus status of their infants. Methods: A cross sectional study was done in Adama Hospital in Antiretroviral therapy clinic and prevention of Mother to child transmission of Human immune deficiency virus clinic from January 1-30, 2016 by simple random sampling technique through face-to- face interview using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. A total of 327 women who are living with Human immunodeficiency virus having infants less than 12 months who were visiting health institution during data collection time was recruited and assessed for infant feeding practice and Human immunodeficiency virus status of their infant. The collected data was entered into a computer and cleaned analyzed using statistical package for the social science Version 16. Results: Of the 327 subjects, the proportion of mothers who experienced Exclusive replacement feeding, Exclusive breast feeding and mixed feeding were 46.8%, 30.6%, 15.3%, respectively. A range of social and obstetrics factors such as mode of delivery were noted to have significant Relation with Exclusive replacement feeding practice. There was statistically significant association between mode of delivery and Exclusive breast-feeding practice using chi square test. Among those infants who were delivered from human immune deficiency virus infected mothers participated in this study, 6.1% of them were positive for Human immune deficiency virus. Conclusion: Exclusive replacement feeding and Exclusive breast feeding were common infant feeding practices and no distinct difference of Human immunodeficiency virus status of infants was observed between Exclusive breast feeding and Exclusive replacement feeding.

Keywords: Infant; Feeding; HIV positive; Practice