Knowledge and practice of prevention of maternal to child transmission among HIV positive women of reproductive age in a tertiary hospital, south east Nigeria

Abstract

Background and Objective: Few years ago HIV positive status was initially thought to be a barrier to a fulfilling reproductive life. However, the advent of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) is gradually modifying the perception about HIV/AIDS, as well as offering people living with HIV/AIDS opportunity to attain their reproductive goals. This study was aimed at ascertaining knowledge and perception of PMTCT services among HIV positive women accessing anti-retroviral therapy in a tertiary hospital in south eastern Nigeria. Methodology: The study was carried out among HIV positive women of reproductive age attending HIV Clinic in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, between July 2004 and March 2005. One hundred women living with HIV/AIDS who voluntarily consented to the study were recruited consecutively. Responses were elicited using a semi-structured interviewer- administered questionnaire on knowledge of mother to child transmission (MTCT), risk perception and prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) practices. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 13. Results: Majority (85%) of the women have heard of mother to child transmission of HIV. Only 20% of them knew that a HIV positive mother can transmit HIV virus to her baby either during pregnancy, labour or breastfeeding. Knowledge of prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV was fair and knowledge of family planning was low (9.0%). Twenty one (22.3%) of them who had been pregnant since being diagnosed of HIV received ante natal care in various health facilities, however only 12 (57.1%) utilized PMTCT services. Nine women (75.0%) out of twelve who utilized PMTCT services during their last pregnancy delivered in a facility providing PMTCT services. Prevalent feeding practice adopted by the mothers was feeding with infant formula (66.7%). Conclusion: The study revealed gaps in knowledge and practice of PMTCT among HIV positive women who are desirous of satisfying their reproductive needs. This, underlines the need to improve PMTCT knowledge among HIV positive women.