Last modified: 2020-02-12
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Infant and young child feeding in the context of human immune virus (HIV) infected mothers, has significant challenges due to the risk of transmission of the virus via breastfeeding. The aim of this review was to assess the pooled prevalence of feeding practices of HIV exposed infants in Ethiopia.
Methods: In this meta-analysis, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was strictly followed. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and direct Google were used to search the relevant articles. Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument adapted for cross-sectional study design was used for quality assessment. STATA 14 software was used to perform the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity and publication bias was assessed using the I2 statistics and Egger’s test and Begg’s respectively. Forest plots were used to present the pooled prevalence using random effect models. Trim and fill analysis were performed to see the significant variations.
Results: This review included 17, 13 and 13 studies, 5207, 4018 and 4020 study participants for exclusive breastfeeding, replacement feeding and mixed feedings respectively. The overall pooled prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding, replacement feeding and mixed feeding of HIV exposed infant were 62.17 % (95% CI: 46.27, 78.08), 20.38 % (95% CI: 11.34, 29.43) and 21.10% (95% CI: 7.91, 34.28) of HIV exposed infants in Ethiopia respectively.
Conclusion and recommendations: In Ethiopia, three in five, one in four HIV exposed infants in Ethiopia were getting exclusive breastfeeding, replacement feeding and mixed feeding during the periods of 6 months respectively. Therefore, the Ethiopian government should strength the health institutions to implement the existing infant feeding strategies and guidelines in the context of HIV positive mothers to increase exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and to avoid mixed feeding during the periods of six months.
Key words: Exclusive breastfeeding, Replacement feeding, mixed feeding, HIV exposed, Ethiopia