Correlates of infant feeding practices among HIV-positive mothers and controls in northeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Despite the global decline in pediatric HIV infections, infants in sub-Saharan Africa still acquire HIV infection through inappropriate feeding. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to compare knowledge and predictors of infant feeding behavior between mothers living with HIV and controls of unknown HIV status in Gombe, northeast Nigeria. METHOD A cross-section of clinic-based samples of 84 HIV-positive mothers and 170 controls of unknown status were interviewed using validated questionnaires. Knowledge scores and self-reported infant feeding practices were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to determine predictors for infant feeding practices. RESULTS Transmission risk perception (95.2% vs. 65.3%) (p 0.05). Antenatal attendance, hospital delivery, knowledge and positive attitude predicted infant feeding practices in both groups. The predictive roles of education and parity were limited to HIV-positive mothers, while the effects of maternal age and infant death were restricted to controls. CONCLUSION Risk perception, knowledge, and exclusive breastfeeding rates were higher among mothers living with HIV. Antenatal care, hospital delivery, knowledge, and attitude predicted infant feeding practices in both groups. Girl child education, antenatal care, hospital delivery, and sustained promotion of exclusive breastfeeding with antiretroviral therapy are key to HIV-free infant survival.