Table 5.
Participants' knowledge about mother-to-child transmission of HIV and infant feeding options (N = 388), Mbale, Uganda
| Questions to participants | Correct answer | Correct responses n (%) |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Is it possible that when the mother or the father is HIV positive | ||
| and their newborn child can be HIV negative? | Yes | 296 (76.3) |
| (2) When can HIV be passed from a mother to her child? | ||
| - during pregnancy | Yes | 239 (61.6) |
| - during labour | Yes | 328 (84.5) |
| - through breastfeeding | Yes | 344 (88.7) |
| - othera | Yes | 129 (33.2) |
| (3) If there are 10 HIV infected pregnant women, how many do | ||
| you think would have babies born with HIV virus?(between 0-10) | 1-4 | 226 (58.2) |
| (4) How many babies could get HIV infected through breastfeeding | ||
| out of 10 HIV infected mothers? ....(between 0-10) | 1-3 | 147 (37.9) |
| (5) What can a mother do to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV | ||
| to her child during pregnancy? | ||
| - taking antiretroviral drugs | Yes | 323 (83.2) |
| - having protected sex with her partner (condom use) | Yes | 177 (45.6) |
| - other waysb | Yes | 83 (21.4) |
| (6)Can an HIV infected mother do anything to reduce the risk of | ||
| transmission of HIV to her child during breastfeeding period? | Yes | 335 (86.3) |
| (7) What can an HIV positive mother do to reduce the risk of getting | ||
| her baby infected with HIV during the breastfeeding period? | ||
| - exclusively breastfeed for 6 months | Yes | 244 (62.9) |
| - not breastfeeding, give infant formula | Yes | 240 (61.9) |
| - not breastfeeding, give diluted cow's milk | Yes | 268 (69.1) |
| - good breast care (no sore or cracked nipples) | Yes | 139 (35.8) |
| - other waysc | Yes | 76 (19.6) |
| (8) If you were HIV positive, which infant feeding option would be | ||
| feasible to you? (Give only one answer) | ||
| (a) - infant formula, no breast milk | 45 (11.6) | |
| (b) - cow's milk, no breast milk | 233 (60.1) | |
| (c) - breast milk only for 6 months | 94 (24.2) | |
| (d) - otherd | 13 (3.4) |
- asharing sharp instruments like needles and injection needles with the baby
- babstaining from sexual intercourse, being faithful to your partner
- cusing drugs to prevent HIV through breast milk
- dbreastfeeding for 3 months, then giving either cow's milk or porridge (from soya/millet flour)