| dc.description.abstract | Objective: To determine feeding practices and nutritional status of
infantsborntoHIV-1–infectedwomen.
Methods: Feeding plans and practices were evaluated by questionnaires
and focus group discussions. Infants were weighed at 1 and 6
weeksandtestedforHIV-1at6weeks.
Results: Of 128 women seen after delivery, 111 completed the
study. Mothers who planned to breast feed were more likely to feed
their infants as planned (86% vs. 55%; P < 0.001). Women opted to
breastfeedduetofinancialconstraints,partnerinfluence,andfearof
losing confidentiality. Women who reported that their partners were
willingtohaveHIV-1testingwerelesslikelytobebreastfeedingat6
weeks(oddsratio[OR]=0.3,95%confidenceinterval[CI]:0.1–0.8;
P=0.01).At6weeks,moreinfantsweremixedfed(31%vs.21%;P=
0.05)thanat1week.Lowerinfantweightat6weekswasassociatedwith
notbreastfeeding(P=0.001),HIV-1infection(P=0.05),birthweight
<3000g(P=0.01),maternalemployment(P=0.02),andpaying<$12.5
permonthinhouserent(amonginfantsnotbreastfed;P=0.05).
Conclusions:Replacementfeedingwasdifficult,particularlywithout
partner support in HIV-1 testing. Mixed feeding was common and increasedby6weeks.Mothersoflowsocioeconomicstatuswhooptnotto
breastfeedrequiresupporttoavoidnutritionalcompromiseof | en |
