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RESEARCH SUMMARY

December 2003

Infant Feeding Counseling Within Kenyan and Zambian PMTCT Services: How Well Does It Promote Good Feeding Practices?

Box: Infant Feeding Guidelines in Kenya and Zambia

Local guidelines developed for PMTCT in Kenya and Zambia recommend that pregnant mothers be informed about the risks of mother-to-child transmission during infant feeding and that infant feeding options be discussed.

In Kenya, women who receive a negative HIV test result and women of unknown status are recommended to breastfeed their infant exclusively. Women who receive an HIV-positive test result are counseled about the risks of breast milk transmission of HIV and informed of three optimal choices: exclusive breastfeeding, replacement feeding with formula, and replacement feeding with modified cow’s milk. HIV-positive women who choose to breastfeed are supported with appropriate information and skills counseling on good breastfeeding techniques to enable exclusive breastfeeding and to shorten the duration of breastfeeding. HIV-positive mothers who choose not to breastfeed receive education and support on how to prepare and give their infant the replacement feed, as well as six months supply of infant formula.

In the Zambian PMTCT program, HIV-negative women and those of unknown status are also encouraged to exclusively breastfeed for six months and continue breastfeeding up to 24 months. The program recommends three infant feeding options to HIV-positive women: (1) exclusive breastfeeding for six months with abrupt cessation, (2) exclusive breastfeeding for three to four months with abrupt cessation, and (3) exclusive formula feeding, with infant formula supplies and education in its preparation provided by the program to the mother.

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