Abstract
Missed Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) visits have contributed to the delayed achievement of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Missed visits promote attrition from prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV program and antiretroviral drug resistance. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of missed PMTCT visits and its associated predictors. A descriptive cross sectional survey was carried out at a District Hospital in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe. Fifty-three women completed closed-ended questionnaires pertaining to PMTCT visits and exposure to PMTCT activities. A total of 24.5% missed at least one scheduled PMTCT visit. Statistically significant predictors of not missing a PMTCT visit were satisfaction with family support (β = −0.73, p = 0.029) and level of satisfaction with PMTCT services (β = −0.00076; p = 0.04). The number of days by which scheduled visits were missed were inversely correlated with visit number (β = −2.99, p = 0.04). Enhanced family support and quality improvement to improve patient satisfaction may reduce missed visits. Availing women with a more active role in PMTCT may also reduce the prevalence of missed visits.
Highlights
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) is a key strategy in the global AIDS response towards elimination of HIV and AIDS by 2030 [1]
Missed Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) visits have contributed to the delayed achievement of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of missed PMTCT visits and its associated predictors
Summary
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) is a key strategy in the global AIDS response towards elimination of HIV and AIDS by 2030 [1]. Since the launch of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV initiative (eMTCT) countries such as Cuba, Armenia, Belarus and Thailand have eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) [2] [3]. Countries need to have MTCT rates 5% or below; non-breastfeeding populations need to sustain MTCT rates of 2% or below [4]. Zimbabwe has managed to reduce MTCT rate to 6.7%, due to effective PMTCT program. A 2012 survey in Zimbabwe found an attrition rate of 43%, along the PMTCT cascade [5]. Attrition in PMTCT is usually due to loss to follow up and death. Both of the two are associated with missed PMTCT appointments
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