Table 1 Agreement AFASS Tool and Consensus
Question | Agreement with the Question | Agreement with the language |
|---|---|---|
Preliminary questions | ||
Do you know you can pass HIV on to your baby through breastfeeding? | 13 (87) | |
Do you know your baby is more likely to get diarrhoea, pneumonia or malnutrition when you don’t prepare formula feeds correctly or hygienically? | 13 (87) | |
Do you know that the risk of transmitting HIV to your baby is three times higher when you mix feed (i.e. breastfeeding and formula feeds) than breastfeeding only? | 11 (73) | |
Do you know you stand the chance of getting pregnant soon if you choose not to breastfeed or use contraceptive? | 13 (87) | |
Acceptability questions | ||
Would you be able to carry on with your choice of feeding (breastfeeding or formula feeding) at home, in that you would not conform to others’ expectations? | 14 (94) | 7 (47) |
Does the father of your child or other people close to you know your HIV status? | 15 (100) | 14 (94) |
If you choose to formula feed, would you be comfortable giving infant formula in public/community? | 15 (100) | 13 (87) |
Feasibility questions | ||
Can you manage to prepare and feed your baby every 2–4 hours day and night for up to three months? | 12 (80) | 11(73) |
Will you be home for the first six months and not be working full time? | 7 (47) | 7 (47) |
Do you have anybody assisting you with the care of your baby? | 14 (93) | 11 (73) |
Do you have clean running water in your home/compound or close by? | 14 (93) | 12 (80) |
Do you have a refrigerator in your home? | 13 (87) | 12 (80) |
Do you have constant supply of electricity? | 14 (93) | 11 (73) |
Would you be able to buy formula milk anytime it is required within your neighbourhood? | 14 (93) | 10 (67) |
Affordability questions | ||
Can you afford $...... (Amount varies for different countries) on infant formula, utensils and cooking fuel for at least six months without disrupting the health and nutrition of other family members? | 15 (100) | 15 (100) |
Do you have a source of regular income? | 14 (93) | 12 (80) |
Safety questions | ||
Would you be able to wash your hands after using the toilet and before preparing feeds, as well as wash and sterilize all utensils required for preparing the feeds? | 12 (80) | 12 (80) |
Do you have a water borne latrine/flush toilet in your home? | 11 (73) | 11 (73) |
Do you have easy access to a health centre that provides Maternal and Child Health services? | 15 (100) | 13 (87) |