Exclusive Breastfeeding And Prevention Of Mother To Child Transmission Of Hiv Among Pregnant Women

This study was carried out to examine the exclusive breastfeeding and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV among pregnant women, using Lagos State College of Health Technology, Lagos state as case study. Specifically, the study aimed at evaluating the extent exclusive breastfeeding is in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 infection as compared to exclusive formula feeding and/ or mixed feeding with the use of antiretroviral prophylaxis, finding out the extent the use of exclusive breastfeeding has helped to reduce mortality rates in exclusive breast-fed infants, and discover the extent exclusive breast-fed infants have had HIV-free survival. The study employed the survey descriptive research design.

A total of 100 responses were validated from the survey. From the responses obtained and analysed, the findings revealed that exclusive breastfeeding helps in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 infection. Also, the use of exclusive breastfeeding has helped to reduce mortality rates in exclusive breast-fed infants. Furthermore, Exclusive breast-fed infants have had HIV-free survival. The study recommend mothers to Mothers and community breastfeeding counsellors should be expanded and aim at doing home visits, organising health education workshops at community level. Home or family visits may also help individual family members to get more clarity and understanding. These programmes should encourage the entire community, convince them to involve themselves in issues regarding HIV and breastfeeding especially before large scaled studies can be done because these factors hinder research and daily evidence based practice.