Breastfeeding practices and attitudes relevant to the vertical transmission of HIV in rural south-west Uganda
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Date
2001
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Annals of tropical paediatrics
Abstract
Breastfeeding has been associated with a doubling of the risk of HIV transmission. In
developed countries, it is recommended that HIV-positive women do not breastfeed, but this is not a
feasible option in most of Africa. It is therefore important to know the extent to which breastfeeding
practices are amenable to change. To study this, we carried out 24 focus group discussions with 208 women
attending maternity clinics in three rural sites in rural south-west Uganda. Breastfeeding starts from a few
minutes to a few days after delivery; most women reported starting after 2 days. The main reason for delay
is lack of milk or that the breasts are ‘blocked’. Most women thought that this delay was good for the baby,
or at least not harmful. Almost all women reported giving the child a soup made of boiled mushrooms
before starting to breastfeed. Once they have started breastfeeding, various supplementary foods are
gradually introduced at 4–6 months. Women thought that ideally breastfeeding should last for 2–3 years,
but in practice most stopped after 18 months. The father and his female relatives generally decide when the
child should be weaned. The women thought that commercial milk formula foods were good but could not
use them because they are too expensive and anyway unavailable in rural areas. Most women were unaware
that HIV could be passed to the child through breastfeeding. Various practices identi ed as potentially risky
are common in this population. Arti cial feeding is not a viable option in this area, and although women
were prepared to make sacri ces to prevent vertical transmission of HIV, practices are deeply ingrained in
traditional culture and will need to be addressed in future interventions. Male partners will also need to be
involved.
Description
Keywords
Breastfeeding, vertical transmission, HIV, Uganda
Citation
Pool, R., Nyanzi, S., & Whitworth, J. A. (2001). Breastfeeding practices and attitudes relevant to the vertical transmission of HIV in rural south-west Uganda. Annals of tropical paediatrics, 21(2), 119-125.DOI: 10.1080/02724930120058179