Chapter 4

Data analysis and interpretation

4.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the data analysis and interpretation. Sixty respondents from
Gaborone West/Block 9 and Broad Hurst III Clinics participated in the study in 2005. A
statistician analysed the data, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
version 13.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequencies, tables, percentages
and correlation tests were used in the data analysis and summaries. Relationships
between variables were identified using frequencies, Chi square, t-test, Spearman’s rho
correlations and measurement analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests.

The purpose of the study was to explore the knowledge that women attending antenatal clinics
have on the transmission of HIV through breast-feeding.

The objectives of the study were to

• analyse the knowledge that women attending antenatal clinics have on the
transmission of HIV through breast-feeding
• describe the factors that influence women attending antenatal clinics on the choice
of infant feeding method
• describe the sources of information to women attending antenatal clinics on the
transmission of HIV to the infants through breast-feeding

The researcher collected data from the respondents using a structured interview schedule,
which had four sections:

• Part A: Demographic data

• Part B: Knowledge of antenatal women on HIV and breast-feeding
• Part C: Factors that influence choice of infant feeding method
• Part D: Sources of information (see annexure D)
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4.2 PART A: DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

The demographic data collected included age, educational level, sources of income and
amount of income which may influence the knowledge of respondents on HIV transmission
through infant feeding method and choice of infant feeding methods. Item 1 was used to
identify the clinics to maintain confidentiality and privacy.

4.2.1 Respondents’ ages (item 2)

The respondents’ ages were within the reproductive age group 15-45 years. Of the
respondents, 51.7% (31) were 15-25; 45.0% (27) were 26-35, and 3.3% (2) were 36-45.
There were no women over 46 years of age (see figure 4.1).

15-25 years
3.3% 0% 26-35 years
36-45 years
46 year & above

45%
51.7%

Figure 4.I
Respondents’ ages (n=60)

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4.2.2 Level of education (item 3)

Of the respondents, 0% (0) had no education; 0% (0) had Standard 1-3; 8.3% (5) had
Standard 4-7; 30% (18) had secondary education to Junior Certificate (JC); 40% (24) had
General certificate of education GCE/O levels; 21.7% (13) had tertiary education. Of the
respondents, 38.3% (23) had obtained primary education Standard 3-7 and junior
certificate (JC), while 61.7% (37) had obtained GCE or O levels (see figure 4.2). A high
level of education is usually associated with better understanding of health information and
practices. Thus, a higher educational level would likely enable the respondents to
understand the perceived susceptibility and severity of HIV and risks of transmitting it to the
unborn or breast-feeding child, and possibly assist them to choose safe and appropriate
feeding methods. There was no one who had never gone to school, which was good as it
meant that all the respondents could read and understand health information on
transmission of HIV through breast-feeding and preventive measures.

0%
None
0%
Standard 1-3
22% 8%
Standard 4-7
0%
30% Junior cert

GCE/O level

40% Tertiary
education

Figure 4.2
Respondents’ educational level (n=60)

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4.2.3 Marital status (item 4)

Figure 4.3 represents the respondents’ marital status. Of the respondents, 58.4% (35) were
single; 18.3% (11) were cohabiting, 23.3% (14) were married, and none were widowed,
divorced or separated. Thus, 76.7% (46) of the respondents were single or cohabiting. This
could be because 51.7% (31) of respondents were from the age range 15-25 years, thus
still young and single. Single or cohabiting women may be at risk of HIV transmission
during pregnancy as the relationship is not strong enough to be able to control the partner’s
extramarital relations. These women may also lack the material, emotional and
psychological support and encouragement on HIV testing and chosen infant feeding
method as they may live in fear of being abandoned if they test HIV positive.

70%
58.4 %
60%

50%

40%

30%
23.3%
18.3%
20%

10%
0% 0% 0%
0%
Married Single Cohabiting Divorced Widowed Separated

Figure 4.3
Respondents’ marital status (n=60)

66
4.2.4 Religious affiliation (item 5)

Of the respondents, 88.3% (53) were Christians, 10% (6) were pagans and 1.7% (1) was
Moslem (see table 4.1).

Table 4.1 Respondents’ religious affiliation (n=60)

Religion Frequency Percent Cumulative percent

Christian 53 88.3 88.3
Pagan 6 10.0 98.3
Moslem 1 1.7 100.0
TOTAL 60 100.0 100.0

4.2.5 Main source of income (item 6)

The respondents indicated their sources of income as follows: 23% (14) self; 38,3% (23)
spouse; 28% (17) mother; 8.4 (5) other, and 1.7% (1) pension (see table 4.2). Therefore,
76.7% (46) of the respondents depended on other people for financial support.

Table 4.2 Respondents’ sources of income (n=60)

Source of income Frequency Percent Cumulative percent

Self 14 23.3 23.3
Spouse 23 38.3 61.6
Mother 17 28.3 89.9
Children 0 0.0 89.9
State/welfare 1 1.7 91.6
Other 5 8.4 100.0
TOTAL 60 100.0 100.0

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4.2.6 Family income per month (item 7)

Table 4.3 depicts the respondents’ family income per month. The findings show that 48.3%
(29) respondents out of the 60 had an income of P1000 (+ R1000) or below that was
inadequate to buy basic needs and other resources for the preparation of formula milk.
These resources include energy for boiling water, lack of facilities like refrigerators for
storage of prepared formula milk, and poor sanitation, which could lead to diarrhoea
disease. In addition, of the respondents, 11.7% (7) stated lack of income/expense of
formula milk as the main reason for choosing breast-feeding. Of the respondents, only
25% (15) had an income of above P2, 800 and could afford the resources required for the
preparation and storage of formula milk.

Table 4.3 Household income per month (n=60)

Income per month Frequency Percent Cumulative percent

<P500 5 8.3 8.3
P501-P1000 24 40.0 48.3
P1001-P1600 5 8.3 56.6
P1601-P2200 5 8.3 64.9
P2201-P2800 6 10.0 74.9
<P2801 15 25.0 99.9
TOTAL 60 99.9 99.9

4.3 PART B: KNOWLEDGE OF HIV TRANSMISSION THROUGH BREAST-FEEDING

The respondents’ knowledge of HIV transmission was assessed in several areas including
adult methods, different infant feeding methods and the risks associated with infant feeding
methods.

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4.3.1 Mode of HIV transmission (item 8)

The respondents had to indicate the mode of HIV transmission and select the correct
option to item 8 on how HIV is transmitted from one person to another. They had to select
more than one correct response from a list of 11 questions on this item by indicating Yes or
No to the perceived correct response. Of the respondents, 95% (57) indicated unprotected
sex; 85% (51) indicated contact with blood; 83.3% (50) said sharing razor blades; 53.3%
(32) said pregnancy; 68.3% (41) indicated delivery; 56.7% (34) indicated sores on the
breast; 13.3% (8) stated kissing and saliva, respectively; 13.3% (8) indicated sharing
utensils, and 3.3% (2) indicated hugging. Given the following statistics, it is clear that some
respondents were still not aware of the modes of HIV transmission: 15 % (9) stated that
HIV could not be transmitted through contact with blood and 16.7% (10) indicated sharing
razor blades. A few respondents had misconceptions on HIV transmission through kissing
and hugging. Only 5% (3) indicated a better understanding of HIV transmission as they
associated it with kissing an HIV-positive partner when one has sores in the mouth. Many
respondents scored moderately well on MTCT of HIV during pregnancy, delivery, breast-
feeding and sores on the breast. These findings show that the respondents had adequate
knowledge of adult transmission of HIV but not MTCT (see figure 4.4).

The findings show that the respondents had a greater knowledge of transmission of HIV in
adults than MTCT. In addition, women who participated in the PMTCT programme scored
high on knowledge of HIV transmission with a mean score of 75.9 compared to non-
participants who scored a mean of 71.0. This shows that women who undergo counselling
on MTCT in a PMTCT programme have a better understanding than ones who do not
participate.

The study also found that pregnant women attending antenatal clinics with a low
educational level of between Standard 4 and 7 scored low on knowledge of mode of adult
HIV transmission with a mean of 63.6 as compared to those with a tertiary education 77.6,
(mean difference 14.0), GCE 76.1 and secondary junior certificate 70.7 on adult
transmission of HIV. The respondents with a higher education level had a better
understanding of HIV transmission. However, there were no equal numbers of respondents

69
in each cell, hence to confirm these findings might require a study with specified age group
distribution.

The knowledge scores emanating from item 8 and 12 were compared with age groups
(item 2) using a t-test and found to be statistically significant for all age groups. For
example, a significant difference was found in the knowledge of transmission of HIV
between the young (26-35 years) and the older (36-45 years) respondents at (t = 34.7; t =
31.85), respectively, all at p = 0.0001. Thus, the older respondents (36-45 years) scored
low on knowledge of transmission of HIV.

Religion did not have a major influence on the respondents’ general knowledge of HIV
transmission although the Moslem had a low mean score of 63.6 compared to 73.8 and
75.8 for the pagans and Christians, respectively.

95
100 85 86.7
90 83.3
80 68.3
Percentage

70 56.7
60 53.3
50 Series2
40
30
20 13.3 13.3 13.3
10 3.3
0

Mode of transmission

Figure 4.4
Respondents’ knowledge of mode of HIV transmission (n=60)

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4.3.2 Understanding of HIV transmission through infant feeding methods (item 9)

The other area assessed in the study was the respondents’ understanding of transmission
of HIV through different infant feeding methods (item 9) (see table 4.4). Of the
respondents, 75% (45) indicated that HIV was transmitted through complementary breast-
feeding; 43.3% (26) through exclusive breast-feeding; 40% (24) through mixed feeding,
and 15% (9) through exclusive formula feeding. This means that 85.5% (51) of the
respondents were aware that exclusive formula feeding has a reduced risk of HIV
transmission and 15% (9) associated exclusive formula feeding with an increased risk of
HIV transmission. The findings indicate that the majority of respondents 75% (45) had a
better understanding that HIV can be transmitted through complementary breast-feeding. It
also means that 60% (36) did not associate the risk of HIV transmission with mixed
feeding. This shows a poor understanding of HIV transmission through mixed feeding.

A correlation was found between the respondents’ marital status (item 4) and their
understanding of complementary breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding (item 10.1,
10.2) at (r = 0.310; p=0.05), in that the married respondents understood exclusive breast-
feeding and complementary breast-feeding correctly.

Table 4.4 Understanding of HIV transmission through infant feeding methods

(n=60)

Feeding method Frequency Percent

Complementary breast-feeding 45 75.0
Exclusive breast-feeding 26 43.3
Mixed feeding 24 40.0
Exclusive formula feeding 9 15.0

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4.3.3 Understanding of infant feeding methods (item 10)

Item 10 determined the respondents’ knowledge score on different infant feeding methods.
The study found that the respondents had a very poor understanding of infant feeding
methods, ranging from 11 to 36.7% (see figure 4.5). The respondents understood different
infant feeding methods as follows: complementary breast-feeding 16.7% (10); exclusive
formula feeding 36.7% (19); complementary formula feeding 11.7% (7); exclusive breast-
feeding 31.7% (19); mixed feeding 18.3% (11). The respondents had problems
differentiating between the terms “complementary” and “exclusive”. The researcher had to
explain the difference after the interview.

100%

75%
Percentage

50%

36.7 %
31.7 %
25%
16.7 % 18.3%
11.7 %

0% 0 Series3
Complementary Exclusive Complementary Exclusive Mixed feeding Series2
breast feeding breast feeding formula feeding formula Series1
Feeding method feeding

Figure 4.5
Understanding of infant feeding methods (n=60)

72
4.3.4 Rating of the risk of HIV transmission (item 11)

In item 11, the respondents were asked to rate the risk of HIV transmission in different
infant feeding methods by indicating none, mild, moderate, severe and high. The study
found that the respondents’ rating of the risk of HIV transmission through different infant
feeding methods was poor and ranged from 15 to 53%. This could also be due to the fact
that only 56.7% (34) participated in the PMTCT programme and possibly aware of their HIV
status and risk of HIV transmission through infant feeding methods. The respondents’
rating of HIV transmission through different infant feeding methods against the expected
responses was as per table 4.5 below.

Table 4.5 Rating of risk of HIV transmission (n=60)

Instant feeding method Expected response Frequency Percentage

Breast-feeding High (4) 3 5.0
Exclusive breast-feeding Mild (2) 9 15.0
Complementary formula feeding Moderate (3) 13 21.7
Exclusive formula feeding None 32 53.3
Mixed feeding Severe (5) 18 30.0

4.3.5 Mode of HIV transmission during breast-feeding (item 12)

The respondents’ understanding on mode of HIV transmission in breast-feeding was as per

figure 4.6 below. The respondents stated that HIV could be transmitted through the
following ways: 95% (57) contaminated breast milk, 58.3% (35) broken breast skin, 53.3
(32) cracked nipples, 48.3% (29) sores in baby’s mouth and 25% (15) through diarrhoea.
These findings indicate better understanding of HIV transmission through breast-feeding
with poor association to conditions in a breast-feeding mother and baby with damage to
gastro intestinal tract like sores in the mouth and diarrhoea. The fact that 50% (30) of the
respondents had no previous babies could have contributed to the poor understanding of
infant feeding methods.

73
 95
100
90
80
70
Percentage
58.3 53.3
60 48.3 Series1
50
40 Series2
25
30
20
10
0

baby's mouth
Contaminated

Broken breast

Diarrhoea
Cracked
nipples
breastmilk

Sores in
skin

Mode of transmission

Figure 4.6
Mode of HIV transmission in breast-feeding (n=60)

4.3.6 Respondents’ knowledge of preventive measures of HIV transmission during

breast-feeding (items 13, 14)

All the respondents agreed that HIV could be transmitted through breast-feeding and had a
fair understanding of preventive measures during breast-feeding. The respondents stated
that HIV can be prevented through the following ways in HIV-positive mothers: avoidance
of breast-feeding (63.3%; 38); using formula milk feeding (18.3%; 11) and using of
antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and in the baby after birth (18.4%; 11). This meant
that pregnant women attending antenatal clinics could make an informed decision on the
method of infant feeding in order to prevent MTCT. However, there are several factors that
influence appropriate choice of infant feeding methods, including socio-economic, social
support system, stigmatisation and discrimination.

74
Table 4.6 Respondents’ knowledge of prevention of HIV transmission through
breast-feeding (n=60)

Preventive measure Frequency Percent Cumulative

percent
Avoidance of breast-feeding 38 63.3 63.3
Using formula milk in HIV-positive mothers 11 18.3 81.6
Use of antiretroviral drugs in pregnant mother and baby 11 18.4 100.0
TOTAL 60 100.0 100.0

4.3.7 Association of infant feeding method with HIV status (item 15)

In response to item 15, on whether people associate HIV status of individuals with infant
feeding methods, the findings were as follows; 30% (18) respondents stated that formula
milk feeding is associated with HIV positive status, 26.7% (16) associate non-breast-
feeding with HIV positive status, 16 % (10) said there was no association, 16% (10) were
not sure and 10% (6) stated that breast-feeding is associated with HIV negative status.
These findings show that people associate infant feeding method with HIV status (see table
4.7 below).

Table 4.7 Association of infant feeding method with HIV status (n=60)

Association of feeding method Frequency Percentage Cumulative

with HIV status percentage
None breast-feeding with HIV
positive 18 30 30

Associate non-breast feeding

with HIV positive status 16 26.7 56.7

Breast feeding HIV negative 6 10 66.7

Not sure/no response 10 16.6 83.3

No association 10 16.7 100.0

TOTAL 60 100.0 100.0

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4.4 PART C: FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE CHOICE OF INFANT FEEDING METHODS

The factors that influenced the choice of infant feeding methods were the number of
children born to respondents, people’s influence on choice of infant feeding method,
cultural and religious beliefs, and confidentiality.

4.4.1 Number of children born to respondents (item 16)

Of the respondents, 50% (30) had no children; 36.7% (22) had 1 child, and 13.3% (8) had
more than 1 child (see table 4.8). The respondents (50%) who were expecting their first
babies may not have had adequate information on mother-to-child HIV transmission. The
women with previous children who had attended maternal and child health services may
have been previously pre-test counselled on HIV or been taught about MTCT, which could
have improved their knowledge.

Table 4.8 Number of children born to respondents (n=60)

Number of children Frequency Percentage Cumulative percentage

None 30 50.0 50.0
One child 22 36.7 86.7
Two or more children 8 13.3 13.3
TOTAL 60 100.0 100.0

4.4.2 Previous baby feeding methods (item 17)

Of the 30 respondents who already had children, 73.3% (22) had used complementary
breast-feeding; 16.7% (5) had used exclusive breast-feeding; 3.3% (1) had used
complementary formula feeding; 3.3% (1) had used exclusive formula feeding; 3.3%(1) had
used mixed feeding, and none had used a nursing mother (wet nurse), cow’s milk or goat’s
milk (see table 4.9). These findings indicate that most of the respondents had used
complementary breast-feeding.

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Table 4.9 Respondents’ previous feeding methods (n=30)

Infant feeding method Frequency Percentage

Complementary breast-feeding 22 73.3
Exclusive breast-feeding 5 16.7
Complementary formula feeding 1 3.3
Exclusive formula feeding 1 3.3
Mixed feeding 1 3.3
Nursing mother 0 0.0
Cow’s milk 0 0.0
Goat’s milk 0 0.0
TOTAL 30 99.9

4.4.3 People who influenced choice of infant feeding method (item 18)

The thirty (30) respondents who already had children indicated that their choice of previous
infant feeding method had been influenced by the following: self 43.3% (13); relatives
26.6% (8); health workers 20% (6); spouses 10.0% (3) (see table 4.10). Thus, individuals
and their relatives influenced the majority of the respondents’ choice of infant feeding
method.

Table 4.10 People who influenced choice of infant feeding method (n=30)

People who influenced choice Frequency Percentage Cumulative percentage

of infant feeding methods
Self 13 43.3 43.3
Spouse 3 10.0 53.3

Relatives 8 26.7 80.0

Health workers 6 20.0 100.0
Any other 0 0.0 0.0
TOTAL 30 100.0 100.0

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4.4.4 Planned feeding methods for the expected baby (item 19)

Of the respondents, 46.7% (28) intended to use complementary breast-feeding; 21.6% (13)
indicated mixed feeding; 15% (9) chose exclusive breast-feeding; 6.7% (4) indicated
complementary formula feeding, and 10% (6) indicated exclusive formula feeding. None of
the respondents intended to use a wet nurse, cow’s milk, goat’s milk (see table 4.11).

Table 4.11 Planned feeding methods for the expected baby (n=60)

Infant feeding method Frequency Percentage

Complementary breast-feeding 28 46.7
Exclusive breast-feeding 9 15.0
Complementary formula feeding 4 6.7
Exclusive formula feeding 6 10.0
Mixed feeding 13 21.6
Nursing mother (wet nurse) 0 0.0
Cow’s milk 0 0.0
Goat’s milk 0 0.0
TOTAL 60 100.0

4.4.5 Reasons for choice of infant feeding (item 20)

With regard to the respondents’ reasons of choice of infant feeding methods, 78.3% (47)
planned to use the chosen methods based on the nutrition and the risk of HIV transmission
(see table 4.12). The respondents gave the following reasons for the choice of infant
feeding methods: nutritious for baby 50% (30); less risk of transmitting HIV 28.3% (17);
cheap and readily available 10% (6); mother did not have enough milk 3.3% (2); baby left
with others while at work 8.4% (5), and none because mother was too ill to breast-feed or
for cosmetic reasons.

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Table 4.12 Respondents’ reasons for choice of infant feeding method (n=60)

Reason for choice Frequency Percentage Cumulative percentage

Nutritious for baby 30 50 50.0
Less risk of transmitting HIV 17 28.3 78.3
Cheap and readily available 6 10 88.3
Mother did not have enough milk 2 3.3 91.6
Mother too ill to breast feed 0 0 0.0
Baby left with others while at work 5 8.4 100.0
Cosmetic reasons 0 0 100.0
TOTAL 60 100 100.0

4.4.6 Cultural beliefs on feeding methods (item 21)

Few of the respondents had cultural beliefs on breast-feeding and no harmful beliefs were
expressed. Of the respondents, only 11.7% (7) expressed that they had cultural beliefs and
88.3% (53) had no cultural beliefs. Of the respondents, 8.3% (5) stated that a breast-
feeding woman is not allowed to have sex until cessation of breast-feeding; 1.7% (1) stated
that a breast-feeding woman should use condoms while she is breast-feeding. Sex during
breast-feeding is believed to bring ill health to the child, such as diarrhoea and malnutrition.
Only 1.7%% (1) respondent stated that a mother should squeeze and smear some breast
milk on the breast before initiating breast-feeding to soften the nipple and make the milk
flow easily (see table 4.13).

Table 4.13 Cultural beliefs on breast-feeding (n=60)

Cultural beliefs Frequency Percent

No sex during breast-feeding 5 8.3
Use condoms during breast-feeding 1 1.7
Squeeze and smear breast milk on breast before breast-feeding 1 1.7
No beliefs 52 88.3
TOTAL 60 100.0

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4.4.7 Religious beliefs (item 22)

Of the respondents, only 11.7% (7) had religious beliefs related to breast-feeding: 6.7% (4)
stated that a breast-feeding woman should not attend church service until the child is 6
months or over as they are believed to be unclean, and 5% (3) stated that a breast-feeding
woman should be clean to avoid transmitting infection to the child during breast-feeding.

4.4.8 Influence of income on choice of infant feeding method (item 23)

The study found that 76.7% (46) of the respondents were dependent on other people for
financial support. In addition, 48.3% (29) of the respondents had an income of P1, 000 or
below. This income could be inadequate to buy basic needs and requirements for boiling
and storing formula milk. These respondents may be unable to make an independent
decision on the infant feeding method because they depend on other people for financial
support. The ANOVA test on item 7 (amount of income) and item 23 (choice of infant
feeding methods) found that income significantly influenced the choice of infant feeding
method at p = 0.000368. The study also found that 11.7% (7) of the respondents had
chosen breast-feeding because of the expense of formula milk (item 23).

4.4.9 Family members’ expectations of infant feeding method (item 24)

Of the respondents, 41% (25) stated that their family members would like them to use
complementary breast-feeding; 35% (21) stated exclusive breast-feeding; 13.3% (8)
indicated complementary formula feeding; 8.3%(5) stated mixed feeding; 3.3% (1) stated
exclusive formula feeding, and 11.7 (7) did not know (see table 4.14).

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Table 4.14 Family members’ expected feeding method (n=60)

Infant feeding method Frequency Percentage

Complementary breast-feeding 25 41.7
Exclusive breast-feeding 21 35.0
Complementary formula feeding 8 13.3
Exclusive formula feeding 1 3.3
Mixed feeding 5 8.3
Don’t know 7 11.7

An ANOVA test on knowledge of HIV entry during breast-feeding (item 12) and family
members’ expectations to use mixed feeding (item 24) found that a few relatives expected
the respondents to use mixed feeding at p = 0.0078. In addition, the study found a very
small margin of difference between the respondents’ choice of infant feeding methods and
the respondents’ expectations, which means that the family members greatly influenced
the choice of infant feeding methods.

A Chi square test found a significant relationship between the respondents’ choice of
exclusive breast-feeding method (item 19) and family members’ expectation of choice of
infant feeding methods (item 24) at p = 0.020. This means that most family members
expected the respondents to use exclusive breast-feeding. Furthermore, there was a very
small margin between family members’ preferred infant feeding methods and the
respondents’ choice. This means that the respondents’ choice of infant feeding method
was greatly affected by the family of the respondents.

4.4.10 Family members’ reasons for choice of breast feeding as a method (item 25)

Of the respondents, 48.3% (29) stated that their relatives would like them to choose the
particular infant feeding method because it was cheap and readily available; 21.7% (13)
said it was nutritious for the baby; 30% (18) stated for cultural reasons, and only 8% (5)
said the relatives chose the method considering the risk of HIV transmission (see figure
4.7).

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 30.0 % 21.7%
Nutritious for baby

Less risk of transmitting

HIV
8% Cheap and readily
available
Cultural reasons

48.3%

Figure 4.7
Family members’ reasons for choice of breast feeding as a method (n=60)

4.4.11 Family members’ feelings about formula milk feeding (item 26)

To assess stigmatisation and discrimination, item 26 elicited information on the family

members’ feelings on the use of formula milk (see table 4.15). Of the respondents, 23.3%
(14) felt that their relatives would be accepting; 38.4% (23) felt their relatives would be
rejecting; 33.3% (20) said their relatives would be curious and enquiring, and 5.0% (3)
were not sure how their relatives would feel about the use of formula milk. Those whose
relatives would be enquiring stated that they would only accept formula milk if they were
made aware of the HIV-positive status.

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Table 4.15 Family members’ feelings about formula milk feeding (n=60)

Feeling Frequency Percentage Cumulative percentage

Accepting 14 23.3 23.3
Rejecting 23 38.4 61.7
Enquiring 20 33.3 95.0
Not sure 3 5.0 100.0
Total 60 100.0 100.0

4.4.12 Need for confidentiality in formula milk issuing (item 27)

Of the respondents, 35% (21) expressed the need for formula milk distribution privately and
confidentially (item 27). The respondents gave the following reasons for maintaining
privacy and confidentiality: to avoid being laughed at 21.7% (13); to prevent discrimination
11.7% (7); did not want others to know HIV-positive status 1.7% (1), and only 1.7% (1)
stated that she would rather purchase formula milk from the shops than be seen carrying
formula milk from the clinic (see table 4.16).

Table 4.16 Reasons for maintaining confidentiality in milk issuing (n=60)

Reason for confidentiality in formula milk issuing Frequency Percentage

Avoid being laughed at 13 21.7
Prevent discrimination 7 11.7
Do not want others to know HIV-positive status 1 1.6
No response/Don’t know 39 65.0
TOTAL 60 100.0

Although formula milk is provided free to all HIV-positive mothers who join the PMTCT,
11.7% (7) stated that it was expensive to buy formula milk. These respondents might have
declined to participate in the programme because they did not want to know their HIV
status or feared stigmatisation and discrimination.

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4.5 PART D: SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON HEALTH ISSUES AND HIV

This study explored general means of acquiring information and participation in PMTCT
programme as the sources of information.

4.5.1 Sources of information on HIV and breast-feeding (items 28-29)

The respondents indicated the following sources of information on HIV/AIDS: friends 91.7%
(55); health workers 88.3% (53); pamphlets 80% (48); radio 76.7% (46); television 66.7%
(40); the Internet 56.7% (34); the PMTCT 53.3% (32) and PMTCT Newsletter 53.3% (32)
(see table 4.17). Because many respondents got information from friends, there is a need
to teach the community, especially women of child-bearing age, about HIV transmission
through infant feeding methods so that they pass on correct information.

Table 4.17 Sources of information on HIV and breast-feeding (n=60)

Source Frequency Percentage

Friends 55 91.7
Health workers 53 88.3
Radio 46 76.7
Television 40 66.7
Internet 34 56.7
PMTCT Newsletter 32 53.3
Pamphlets 48 80.0
PMTCT 32 53.3

4.5.2 Respondents’ participation in the PMTCT (item 29)

Of the respondents, 56.7% (34) stated that they had participated in the PMTCT programme
although all women attending antenatal clinics are encouraged to participate in the
programme. An ANOVA test on knowledge of HIV transmission (item 12) and participation
in PMTCT programme (item 29) found that participation in the PMTCT programme
increased the understanding of MTCT. Thus, the respondents who participated in the
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PMTCT programme scored higher on knowledge of HIV transmission than non-participants
with mean scores of 75.9 and 71.0, respectively.

4.6 CONCLUSION

This chapter discussed the data analysis and interpretation, with the use of graphs,
frequency tables, descriptions and inferential statistics. The demographic information
provided background information on the respondents and factors that influenced their level
of knowledge and choice of infant feeding methods.

Chapter 5 concludes the findings of the study, discusses its limitations and makes
recommendations for practice and further research.

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