ISSN 2736-1594
International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2736-1594, Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Exploring the Health Implications of Infant Feeding Choices for HIV-Infected Mothers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comprehensive Review
Laar, M. E.1* and Laar, A. K.2
1Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USA. 2Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
Accepted 22 November, 2024
Abstract
Concerns for perinatal HIV transmission and health of infants have led to calls for a religious adoption of WHO recommendations on HIV and infant feeding. That which is not established is how this impacts on the health of mothers. While the dilemma of breastfeeding and risk of transmitting the virus to the infant is fast becoming history, the impact infant feeding choices may have on the health of mothers is not well characterized. This review provides current knowledge on how infant feeding choices of HIV-positive mothers affect their own health. A computer-aided systematic search of literature for articles published between 1985 and 2010 was done. Two independent literature searches were conducted using PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Ten eligible articles, most of which reported no adverse effect of breastfeeding on health of HIV-positive mothers. One study presented findings attributing increased maternal mortality to breastfeeding. Another study concluded that breastfeeding was associated with reduced CD4 counts and lower body mass index, although these effects were not clinically relevant. Several others attributed maternal morbidity and mortality to high levels of plasma HIV viral load. This review does not support the belief that HIV-positive mothers are exposed to an increased risk of adverse conditions when breastfeeding.
Key words: Infant feeding modality, sub-Saharan Africa, HIV-positive mothers, breastfeeding, mixed feeding, formula feeding.