BARRIERS TO EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES AMONG HIV-POSITIVE MOTHERS ATTENDING POSTNATAL CLINIC AT KAJJANSI HEALTH CENTRE IV, WAKISO DISTRICT.  A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Victoria Namyalo; Bonny Bukenya; Jane Frank  Nalubega; Immaculate Prosperia Naggulu

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i3.1548

Authors

Victoria Namyalo School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences.
Bonny Bukenya School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences.
Jane Frank Nalubega School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences.
Immaculate Prosperia Naggulu School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i3.1548

Keywords:

Exclusive breastfeeding practices , HIV positive mothers, Kajjansi health Centre iv, Wakiso district

Abstract

Background

Exclusive breastfeeding is critical for infant health, particularly among HIV-positive mothers. This study aimed to assess the barriers to exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers attending a postnatal clinic at Kajjansi Health Center IV.

Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed to select 40 mothers. A simple random sampling method was used, and data was collected using a semi-structured researcher-administered questionnaire with both open and close-ended questions. Microsoft Excel was used for data analysis.

Results

40 respondents participated in this study; the majority, 28(70%) of the respondents, were between 18-25 years of age, while only 01(2.5%) was above 35 years. 75% of the respondents knew that exclusive breast milk is important for HIV-positive mothers. However, 37.5% of the mothers were not sure whether taking ARVs during pregnancy and after childbirth reduces the chances of HIV transmission to the born baby, and 37.5% of them also mentioned replacement feeding as the ideal baby feeding method in the first 6 months. 62% of the respondents reported having sufficient breast milk for EBF. However, 65% of them reported sometimes having support from their partners to EBF, and 20% were not sure whether EBF is culturally accepted. Half of the mothers never got breastfeeding counseling during ANC, and 75% were not advised on EBF for the first 6 months at the health facility.

Conclusion

The study found good knowledge among most of the respondents. However, socioeconomic and health facility factors greatly contributed to barriers to EBF among HIV-positive mothers.

Recommendation

The government, through the Ministry of Health, should expand breastfeeding education during antenatal care and postnatal visits, emphasizing the health benefits of EBF beyond HIV transmission alone.

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