Intervening factors in the feeding of infants vertically-exposed to HIV: an integrative review

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the available scientific literature on factors that may intervene in the adequate feeding of infants vertically-exposed to HIV. METHODS: This was an integrative review of the literature, performed on the LILACS, PubMed and Scopus databases in February 2017. The search was guided by the question “What are the factors involved in feeding infants vertically-exposed to HIV.” Selected studies met the inclusion criteria of being research articles published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Articles excluded were those on exclusive breastfeeding. There was no need to perform a temporal cut off of the studies. RESULTS: In all, the 32 primary studies selected showed that intervening factors were of three types: individual, such as maternal feelings and desires, beliefs, and practical difficulties; social, such as socioeconomic conditions, social support, and stigma; and political, such as health services structure and organization, supplies, health care guidance, and the knowledge and attitudes of health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS: The factors that interfere with feeding infants vertically-exposed to HIV may be independent or associated with each other. To reduce the risk of inadequate nutrition and its associated diseases, actions must be taken to identify and minimize these factors, guaranteeing a better quality of life and reduction of infant morbidity and mortality.