An assessment of the factors that influence the infant feeding practices of HIV-positive mothers in The Mothers' Programmes : a qualitative study

Many researchers consider breastfeeding as the best way to feed an infant, as it provides numerous benefits both physical and psychological for mother and child (Baumslag & Michels, 1995; Preble & Piwoz, 1998; Smith & Kuhn, 2000; World Health Organization (WHO), 2000; WHO, 2003). However, breast milk is a body fluid, like blood or semen, which can transmit the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from mother to baby (White, 1999). A woman infected with HIV may pass the virus on to her child via pregnancy, labour or delivery or through breastfeeding (WHO, 2003). In developing countries where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is high, particularly among women of reproductive age, protecting children from HIV infection is a critical public health concern.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Public Health and Family Medicine

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Mackowski, Amy M

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Orner, Phyllis
• Hoffman, Margaret

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9387

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9387