MSc Thesis
The study was conducted to characterize factors affecting implementation of WHO
recommendations on infant feeding among HIV/AIDS infected mothers in Dar-es-
Salaam region. Specifically the study intended to assess knowledge on infant feeding
in the context of HIV and AIDS among HIV positive mothers to assess constraints
that hinders the implementation of recommendations of WHO on infant feeding, to
examine attitude on infant feeding in the context of HIV and to assess the nutritional
status of HIV exposed children aged 6 -12 months. A cross-sectional design was used
to collect data from 99 HIV infected mothers and 17 health care workers in Dar es
Salaam. Descriptive non parametric Chi square and inferential principle analysis were
used to analyse the data. The results have shown 60% and 42.9% of women in urban
and rural areas respectively were knowledgeable about timely initiation of
breastfeeding after delivery (p = 0.000); 52.8% and 86% in urban and rural areas
respectively were aware that mastitis and breast engorgement increases the likelihood
of MTCT of HIV during breastfeeding (p = 0.024). The prevalence of stunting among
HIV exposed children was 25.2%; wasting was 10.9%; and underweight was 25%.
Barriers to implementation of new WHO guidelines on infant feeding in the context of
HIV and AIDS include: fear of infecting the baby, and lack of disclosure of mother’s
HIV status. The study concluded that inadequate knowledge of health care workers on
issues of infant feeding in the context of HIV, fear for stigma, early initiation and
giving colostrums were among the contributing factors of poor implementation of new
WHO guidelines and the prevalence of malnutrition among HIV exposed children in
the study area was higher. Basing on the findings of the study it is recommended to harmonise the health education package in terms of messages and content and
undertake health promotion by using mass and traditional media.