High Rates of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Both Arms of a Peer Counseling Study Promoting EBF Among HIV-Infected Kenyan Women

Abstract Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended for 6 months after delivery as the optimal infant feeding method and is especially important for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT). However, EBF promotion efforts among HIV-infected mothers in sub-Saharan Africa have achieved mixed success and require context-specific interventions. Methods: HIV-positive, pregnant women from six clinics in Nairobi were enrolled into a clinic-level, before–after counseling intervention study. All women received standard perinatal and HIV care. Women in the intervention arm were offered three counseling sessions that promoted EBF, described its benefits, and explained breastfeeding techniques. Mother–infant pairs were followed until 14 weeks postpartum, with infant HIV testing at 6 weeks. EBF prevalence at 14 weeks postpartum was compared between study arms using log-binomial regression. Proportions of 6-week HIV-free survival and 14-week infant survival were assessed using Cox regression...