Diarrhoeal events, which are an important indicator of
child health in the 1st 3 months, were assessed using GLM
from 2 weeks to 3 months as well as longitudinally at end
of follow-up. The breastfed group had significantly lower
diarrhoeal events by 3 months (IRR = 0.31; 95% CI
0.13–0.75). By end of follow-up, there was still a trend of
higher diarrhoeal events in the formula fed infants, however the difference was no longer significant (P = 0.098).
There were no significant differences between the two
groups for the incidence of the other parameters.
When assessed for AFASS criteria, only 38.7% of the
formula-feeding mothers actually fulfilled the criteria.
Of the breastfeeding infants, 18 (28.6%) were put to
breast in the 1st h of delivery.
Amongst the reasons for stopping breastfeeding before
6 months, returning to work was the most frequent (9.5%).
Exclusive breastfeeding rates were 92.1% at 3 months and
66.7% at 6 months.
There were no maternal deaths. 5 (3.6%) of the mothers
were started on antiretroviral therapy as they became
eligible.
Eight infants (5.8%) tested positive at 6/52; three formula feeding and five breastfeeding infants. There was no
postnatal transmission.