Infant feeding practice and associated factors among hiv-positive mothers attending anti-retroviral therapy services in health facilities of Bahir Dar City.

Infant feeding practices among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-positive mothers are vital for child survival, nutrition, and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission. Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines promoting optimal infant feeding practices, adherence remains inconsistent in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess infant feeding practices and associated factors among HIV-positive mothers attending ART services in health facilities of Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia, 2023. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 15, 2023, to April 15, 2023. A systematic random sampling technique was used. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data on feeding practices. The data were entered and analyzed by SPSS software version 23. A binary logistic regression was performed to assess any relationship between each independent variable and outcome variables. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used for any association between the dependent and predictor variables, while significance was determined using 95% confidence intervals. This study included 198 participants with a response rate of 94.7%. About 40% of mothers and 18% of fathers were unable to read and write. Approximately 12% of mothers were divorced About 34% of mothers had a monthly income of 1500-3000 birr. The magnitude of appropriate infant feeding practice was 80.8% (95% CI: 75-86%). The identified determinants of infant feeding practices were counseling during antenatal care (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.12, 6.92) and knowing the HIV status of the infant (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.14, 7.61). Appropriate infant feeding practices were 80.8%, which is below the WHO target. Counselling during antenatal care and knowledge of the infant's HIV status were significantly associated with appropriate infant feeding practices. Thus, there is still a need to strengthen maternal counseling and support programs to improve adherence to recommended practices.