Title: Elimination of mother to child HIV transmission through the use of human breast milk banks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Abstract:
Background: Mother to child HIV transmission in Ethiopia reaches up to 9.93%. Half of all mother to child HIV transmission occurred during breast feeding. The history of human breast milk bank is more than a century. Currently there are more than 750 breast milk banks across the world. Banked human breast milk can be used for preterm birth, babies with gastrointestinal surgery, malabsorption, feeding intolerance and orphaned newborns.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess perception of health professionals and HIV positive women towards establishment and use of human breast milk bank for elimination of mother to child HIV transmission during breast feeding.
Methods: Explanatory sequential mixed method was used to conduct this study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Eight Focus group discussions and sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted.
Results: Most of health professionals and HIV positive mother had no previous knowledge about Human breast milk bank. But if there is availability of HIV-free banked human breast milk, they are happy to use it for their HIV exposed infants. Most of the mother replied with in-depth interview as: Before the era of HIV, breast feeding others’ infants especially for those mothers had died was our culture. But currently, this is not possible because of the risk of HIV/AIDS and other infectious disease. Therefore, if there is a mechanism of breast milk donation, we can feed our infants without fear.
Conclusion: The study participants had good perceptions to use banked human breast milk for HIV exposed infants and it makes zero MTCT during breast feeding.
