Breast Feeding/Infant Feeding

Postnatal Depression Symptoms Are Associated with Increased Diarrhea Among Infants of HIV-Positive Ghanaian Mothers

  • Source:
  • Okronipa, H et al. 2012. AIDS Behav, 16: 2216-2225.

  • Summary:
  • HIV infection is linked to increased prevalence of depression which may affect maternal caregiving practices and place infants at increased risk of illness. We examined the incidence and days ill with diarrhea among infants of HIV positive (HIV-P), HIV negative (HIV-N), and unknown HIV status (HIV-U) women, and determined if symptoms of maternal postnatal depression (PND) modulated the risk of diarrhea. Pregnant women (n = 492) were recruited from three antenatal clinics; mothers and infants were followed for 12 months postpartum. Diarrheal incidence was 0.6 episodes/100 days at risk. More HIV-P than HIV-N and HIV-U women tended to report PND symptoms (v 2 = 4.76; P = 0.09). Reporting symptoms was associated with an increased risk of infantile diarrhea only among HIV-P and HIV-U but not HIVN women (interaction term, v 2 = 7.84; P = 0.02). Health care providers should be aware of the increased risk of infantile diarrhea when both maternal HIV and PND symptoms are present and take preventive action.

  • Keywords:
  • Breast Feeding/Infant Feeding Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Handwashing (Hand Washing) Journal Articles Maternal and Child Health People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV)
  • Use of Nutritional and Water Hygiene Packages for Diarrhoeal Prevention Among HIV-Exposed Infants in Lilongwe, Malawi: An Evaluation of a Pilot Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Post-Natal Care Service

    • Source:
    • Xue J et al. 2010. Trop Med Int Health October 2010. University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

    • Summary:
    • In Malawi, free fortified porridge and water hygiene packages were offered to mothers to encourage frequent post-natal visits and to reduce diarrheal rates in infants on replacement feeding. Participant retention and infant health outcome were assessed. The majority of participants adhered to their scheduled visits and retention was favorable, possibly because of the introduction of hygiene and nutrition incentives. The infant diarrheal rate was low, suggesting benefits of regular medical care with hygiene package usage and reliable replacement feeding options.

  • Keywords:
  • Breast Feeding/Infant Feeding Diarrheal Diseases Food Hygiene Formative Research Household Water Treatment & Storage Journal Articles Nutrition People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) PMTCT (Preventing Mother to Child Trans.)
  • Case-Control Study to Determine Risk Factors for Diarrhea Among Children During a Large Outbreak in a Country with a High Prevalence of HIV Infection

    • Source:
    • Arvelo A et al. 2010. Int J Infect Dis November 2010. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    • Summary:
    • Between January and March 2006, over 35,000 diarrhea cases and 532 deaths were reported among children under the age of five in Botswana. During this diarrhea outbreak, in a country with a national program to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, ill children were less likely to be breastfed and more likely to have been exposed to environmental factors associated with fecal contamination. These findings underscore the importance of adequate access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition education among populations using breast milk substitutes.

  • Keywords:
  • Breast Feeding/Infant Feeding Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Handwashing (Hand Washing) Household Water Treatment & Storage Journal Articles PMTCT (Preventing Mother to Child Trans.) Sanitation/Feces Disposal