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Feeding practices according to the WHO- recommendations for HIV exposed children in northwest Ethiopia: A
Frizer Esubalew1, Azeb Atenafu2, Zegeye Abebe2
1Gondar University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Insights
Optimal complementary feeding is low among HIV-exposed children in Ethiopia. Factors like paternal education, wealth, and maternal HIV disclosure are associated with better feeding practices. Interventions should focus on these areas.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition
Background:
- Malnutrition is a significant issue for children exposed to HIV, often stemming from inadequate feeding.
- Optimal complementary feeding practices are crucial for the health and development of HIV-exposed infants and young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate adherence to World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended complementary feeding practices.
- To identify factors associated with optimal complementary feeding among HIV-exposed children aged 6-18 months in northwest Ethiopia.
Main Methods:
- An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted using systematic random sampling.
- A 24-hour dietary recall assessed compliance with timely introduction of foods and minimum acceptable diet criteria.
- Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses identified associated factors.
Main Results:
- Only 25.5% of HIV-exposed children received optimal complementary feeding.
- Positive associations with optimal feeding included father's education, higher household wealth, media exposure, and mother's HIV status disclosure.
- Recommended meal frequency (70.7%) and minimum acceptable diet (36.9%) were met by a notable proportion of children.
Conclusions:
- Optimal complementary feeding practices fall short of WHO recommendations in this population.
- Household wealth, paternal education, and maternal HIV disclosure are key factors influencing feeding practices.
- Recommendations include social safety nets for HIV-positive mothers, enhanced counseling on HIV disclosure, and increased media promotion of optimal feeding.
Background:
Malnutrition is a major problem for HIV exposed children, which is mainly caused by inappropriate feeding practice. Hence, the study aimed to assess adherence to optimal complementary feeding practices recommended by the WHO and associated factors among HIV exposed infants and young children aged 6-18 months in selected Amhara Regional Hospitals, northwest Ethiopia.
Methods:
An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 10 to April 30, 2017. Systematic random sampling was employed to select study participants. A 24hr dietary recall was used to assess compliance with child optimal complementary feeding practice. Children were considered to have received optimal complementary feeding when they fulfill the criteria of the timely introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods, and minimum acceptable diet. Both bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were applied to identify factors associated with optimal complementary feeding practice.
Results:
In this study, about 25.5% of HIV exposed children received optimal complementary feeding. More than two thirds, (70.7%), and more than a third, (36.9%), of the children received the recommended meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet, respectively. Father's education; primary (AOR = 2.39; 95%CI: 1.18, 4.88) and higher (AOR = 2.44; 95%CI: 1.37, 4.34), rich household wealth status (AOR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.13, 3.82), and satisfactory media exposure (AOR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.04, 2.78), and mothers disclosing that they have HIV (AOR = 1.78; 95%CI: 1.07, 2.98) were positively associated with optimal feeding practices.
Conclusion:
Optimal complementary feeding practice was not at the level recommended by the WHO. Household wealth status, mother's HIV disclosure, and paternal educational status were positively associated with optimal complementary feeding practices among HIV exposed children. Therefore, a social safety net program for HIV positive mothers is recommended. In addition, strengthening maternal counseling about disclosure of HIV status and increased media promotion of optimal child feeding is important to achieve the recommended feeding goals.
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