Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and Associated Factors Among HIV Positive Mothers Having Children 0-23 Months Old in Dire Dawa City Health Facility, Eastern Ethiopia 2023

Abstract

Background: Infant and young child feeding practices are sets of recommendations for proper feeding of children under the age of two. A limited study is thoroughly evaluated. Infant and small child feeding behaviors of HIV-positive mothers in the research area, which is primarily in Ethiopia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate infant and young child feeding patterns and associated characteristics among HIV-positive women with children aged 0-23 months who are receiving ART/PMTCT services at governmental health institutions in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia, in 2023.

Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed from May 01 to May 30, 2023, on 228 participants that were selected using the systematic random sampling technique. Data were cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all study variables. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done, and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: The current study revealed that 58.8%, 21.5%, and 19.7% of mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding, and exclusive replacement feeding, respectively. Knowledge on mother- to-child transmission and infant feeding [AOR=7.69, CI: 1.69, 34.89], number of antenatal care visits [AOR=5.37, CI: 1.76, 38.01], WHO clinical stage 3 [AOR=5.56, CI: 1.01, 30.43], and cesarean section delivery [AOR=7.879, CI: 1.83, 33.94] were significantly associated with infant feeding practice. Conclusion: The present study identified a high number of the HIV-positive mothers who practiced the recommended feeding. Knowledge, ANC, clinical stage, and CS delivery were factors associated with infant feeding practice.