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Abstract
Infant Feeding Practices and HIV Infected Women in India
D Paul
NIPCCD, New Delhi, India
Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is widely accepted and advocated by health care workers in India. In view of increasing incidence of HIV among women the clinicians have been facing a dilemma, that of advising HIV infected women about the risks and benefits of infant feeding options.
Methods: Due to limited data from within the country the Technical Resource Group (TRG) on Women, Children and AIDS organized a series of consultation to take stock of the above situation. Data regarding exclusive breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding, access to health care, pattern of utilization of services, decision among women regarding health of self and children, access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, literacy status of women, etc. were analyzed. A matrix was developed to help clinicians on deciding infant feeding option in HIV cases. The TRG then prepared guidelines on breastfeeding for health professionals based on the matrix developed. In case of women opting replacement feeding a scoring formula for taking a decision by health professionals to allow top feeding was prepared considering risks and benefits of top feeding over breastfeeding and HIV.
Results: The scores and guidelines are presented in tabular form along with a matrix. The risk factors considered were poverty, illiteracy, housing, availability of potable water, nutrition, mortality & morbidity profile of family in last one year, antenatal care etc.
Conclusion: The guidelines provided by Technical Resource Group on Women, Children and AIDS would be useful for the health professionals and HIV infected mothers about deciding the risks and benefits of locally available infant feeding options.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
D11264
Suggested Citation
" D Paul ,
Infant Feeding Practices and HIV Infected Women in India
.
Print Only:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
D11264"
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