WHO 2010 infant feeding guidelines in resource-limited settings: attitudes of human immunodeficiency virus-infected women and other role players in Kampala, Uganda

  • Joyce Namale Matovu Makerere University-Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration
  • Carolyne Onyango-Makumbi Makerere University and Johns Hopkins University
  • Prossy Ethel Namuli Makerere University-Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration
  • Erasmus Otolok Tanga Makerere School of Public Health
  • Mike N Kagawa Makerere University College of Health Sciences
  • Gorrette K Nalwadda Makerere University College of Health Sciences
  • Mahnaz Motevalli Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
  • Fred C Semitala Makerere University Joint AIDS Program
  • Ellen Townley O'Gara National Institutes of Health
  • Mary G Fowler Makerere University College of Health Sciences
Keywords: Infant Feeding, Exclusive Breastfeeding, HIV infected Lactating Mothers, Male Partners, World Health Organization, Resource Limited Settings

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the attitudes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women and other role players towards the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 infant feeding guidelines. Design: This was formative evaluation research, carried out from September-November 2011. Setting: The study was conducted at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Subjects: Focus group discussions (FGDs) were held among five groups: HIV-infected pregnant women (9), HIV-infected postpartum mothers (10), HIV-infected peers (10), male partners (10), family members of the pregnant women (10) and key informants (12) Outcome measures: Descriptive data were collected through FGDs and key informant interviews. Results: With the exception of male partners, the majority of FGD participants and key informants who were health workers held a positive attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. The introduction of complementary foods at six months while HIV-infected lactating mother continued to breastfeed was supported by all of the health workers, but by only a minority of participants from each focus group discussion. The majority of FGD participants and the health workers were in favour of an HIV-infected lactating mother taking antiretroviral (ARV) drugs during the breastfeeding period, rather than the infant. Conclusion: Three conclusions can be drawn from this study. Firstly, general attitudes towards the WHO 2010 infant feeding guidelines on exclusive breastfeeding were positive. Secondly, there were still fears about an HIV-infected mother introducing complementary foods at six months while continuing to breastfeed. Thirdly, all of the FGD participants and the majority of the health workers recommended that the mother should take ARV drugs in the lactating period.

Author Biographies

Joyce Namale Matovu, Makerere University-Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration
RM, Diploma in Guidance and Counselling, BCP, MA Makerere University-Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration (Makerere University-Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration)/Mulago Hospital PMTCT Program Coordinator/Investigator of Record Makerere University-Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration Uganda
Carolyne Onyango-Makumbi, Makerere University and Johns Hopkins University
MBChB, MSEpi Clinical Research Site Coordinator/Investigator Makerere University-Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration Uganda
Prossy Ethel Namuli, Makerere University-Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration
RCN Nurse Study Coordinator Makerere University-Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration Uganda
Erasmus Otolok Tanga, Makerere School of Public Health
Diploma in Strategic Health Communication, BASWSA, MPH Honorary Lecturer Makerere School of Public Health Uganda
Mike N Kagawa, Makerere University College of Health Sciences
MBChB, MMed, FellMedEd Lecturer Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology College of Health Sciences Makerere University Uganda
Gorrette K Nalwadda, Makerere University College of Health Sciences
BScN, MSc PRH, PhD Senior Lecturer and Researcher Department of Nursing Makerere University College of Health Sciences Uganda
Mahnaz Motevalli, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
MS, BA Research Associate John Hopkins School of Medicine Baltimore USA
Fred C Semitala, Makerere University Joint AIDS Program
MBChB, MMed, MPH Lecturer Department of Internal Medicine Makerere University College of Health Sciences Uganda
Ellen Townley O'Gara, National Institutes of Health
MSN, FNP National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Medical Officer Henry M Jackson Foundation Division of AIDS National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health USA
Mary G Fowler, Makerere University College of Health Sciences
MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Clinical Trials Unit Principal Investigator and Executive Director Makerere University College of Health Sciences Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Pathology Johns Hopkins Hospital USA
Published
2013-11-23
How to Cite
Matovu, J., Onyango-Makumbi, C., Namuli, P., Tanga, E., Kagawa, M., Nalwadda, G., Motevalli, M., Semitala, F., O’Gara, E., & Fowler, M. (2013). WHO 2010 infant feeding guidelines in resource-limited settings: attitudes of human immunodeficiency virus-infected women and other role players in Kampala, Uganda. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 27(2), 63-68. Retrieved from http://sajcn.redbricklibrary.com/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/805
Section
Original Research