Nzelu, Stella Chambo2025-09-242025-09-242008https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/7040Master's Theses1'hc study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of HIV­ positive mothers on infant feeding options in the context of PMTCT of HIV. The focus of the study was in clinics situated in Kinondoni Municipality in Dar es Salaam City. Interviews using questionnaires were used to collect data from sampled respondents. The interviews were held at the PMTCT clinics and followed by observations al homes. Data collected were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer programme version 12.0. The study noted that HIV­ positive mothers practiced two common options of feeding their infants after delivery. These were exclusive breastfeeding for less than six months and no breast feeding (i.e. exclusive use of replacement milk). However, low rates of adherence to instructions during preparation were also noted. More than 90% had poor adherence and only 7.8% followed correctly all the required procedures. About 86% showed poor hygienic practices. Furthermore, the study revealed that the PMTCT programme was neither performing enough demonstrations to mothers on the appropriate feeding methods nor making sufficient follow ups. Health workers (97.8 %) were reported to be the major source of the information. Services from other institutions other than PMTCT clinics, such as provision of replacement milk, were not provided to most of the respondents (87.7%). Constraints like stigma, poor affordability of replacement milk were noted to have some effect on the initial decision for the infant feeding option. The study recommends sensitization of key community members to support the HIV-positive mothers. There is a need for placement of a nutritionist in every PMTCT clinic to work on dietary and feeding issues together with conducting regular training to counselors on infant feeding methods.enHIV-positive mothers-KnowledgeInfant feeding-HIV-positive mothersKinondoni - Dar es salaamThesis