A Comparative Study of Compliance with Preferred Infant Feeding Options among HIV Positive Women in Osun State, South Western Nigeria

Aims: This study assessed and compared compliance with preferred infant feeding options among HIV positive booked and un-booked women in Osun State in South western Nigeria.
Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Osun state in South-western Nigeria between January 2007 and June 2009.
Methodology: Descriptive cross sectional comparative study among 210 booked and 105 un-booked HIV positive women, to assess their compliance with pre-delivery infant feeding options preferred up to four months after delivery. Research instruments employed were semi structured, interviewer administered and pre tested questionnaires. Responses were analyzed using the SPSS software version 13.0.
Results: More booked women 153 (72.9%) preferred or selected exclusive replacement feeding as compared with un-booked women 29 (27.6%). Among un-booked women, 43 (40.9%) currently breastfeeds exclusively, while 22 (21.0%) give cow milk. Among booked women, 44 (21.0%) currently breastfeeds exclusively while 152 (72.4%) give cow milk. Compliance rate with preferred breastfeeding option was higher among booked than un-booked women (77.2% vs. 58.1%, p=0.010). Compliance rate with preferred replacement feeding option was also higher among booked than un-booked women, (93.2% vs. 75.9%, p=0.001). Mixed feeding rate was higher among un-booked than booked respondents (27.6% vs. 6.7%, p=0.001). Respondents who preferred breastfeeding and replacement feeding among un-booked women were a half ((O.R of 0.57, 95%C.I of 0.41-0.95, and p=0.013) and one-third ((OR of 0.32, 95%C.I of 0.1-0.8 and p=0.044) fold more likely to practice preferred method respectively when compared with booked women.
Conclusion: Un-booked HIV positive women were less likely to practice selected infant feeding method compared to booked women.