Abstract
BackgroundFew studies have assessed pregnant women's perceptions regarding prevention of mother to child of HIV and the available services at the primary health care level in Nigeria.ObjectiveAssessment of knowledge and perception of antenatal clinic (ANC) attendees regarding Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV at primary health care facilities in south-west Nigeria.MethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst 400 antenatal attendees in a Primary Health Care centre in Ibadan, Nigeria.ResultsKnown methods of PMTCT were: use of anti-retroviral treatment (ART) during pregnancy (75.0%), ART at birth (65.8%) and not breastfeeding (61.8%). Previous HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) was reported by 71%, significantly higher proportions of those who were married, in the third trimester of pregnancy or engaged in professional and/or skilled occupations had been tested. Regarding the HCT services provided, 92.2% understood the HIV-related health education provided, 89.7.2% reported that the timing was appropriate, 92.6% assessed the nurses’ approach as acceptable but 34.0% felt the test was forced upon them. Majority (79.6%) were aware of non-breastfeeding options of infant feeding, but only 3.5% were aware of exclusive breastfeeding for a stipulated period as an infant feeding option. Nevertheless, the majority of the women found the non-breast feeding option culturally unacceptable.ConclusionWomen in this survey were knowledgeable about the methods of PMTCT, but had negative perceptions regarding certain aspects of the HCT services and the recommended non-breastfeeding infant feeding option. Health workers should provide client friendly services and infant feeding counselling that is based on current WHO recommendations and culturally acceptable.
Highlights
Key focusHuman immunodeficiency virus infection and AIDS are leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst women and children, in the sub-Saharan African countries where the prevalence of HIV is high
The acceptance of PMTCT services varies from place to place, with differing levels of awareness amongst pregnant women regarding AIDS and HIV transmission and prevention amongst pregnant women
In a study conducted in Lagos, Nigeria, almost all the respondents were willing to undergo HIV testing in pregnancy, if it would prevent the transmission of HIV of their babies.[9]
Summary
Key focusHuman immunodeficiency virus infection and AIDS are leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst women and children, in the sub-Saharan African countries where the prevalence of HIV is high. This is http://www.phcfm.org an opportune time to offer HIV testing within the health facility allowing pregnant women and even couples to know their HIV status. Perez et al reported that the reasons women gave for their refusal were mainly related to the need to consult their husbands or partners before being tested.[12] Ignorance and sociocultural barriers hinder maximal utilisation of the PMTCT services and the adoption of the infant feeding recommendations by women in Nigeria as well as other African countries.[10,13,14] In a study conducted in Lagos, Nigeria, almost all the respondents were willing to undergo HIV testing in pregnancy, if it would prevent the transmission of HIV of their babies.[9] Okonkwo et al reported that almost all the women approved of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), mainly because they were aware that VCT could reduce the risk of transmission of HIV to their babies.[10] a major condition for testing was that the results would be kept confidential. Sociocultural factors such as stigmatisation and discrimination against HIV-infected individuals were identified as barriers toward widespread acceptance of VCT in Nigeria.[9]
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