Self-efficacy in the Context of PMTCT of HIV: A Concept Clarification

Abstract

Despite the effort and emphasis of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) strategies, the rate of Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV continue to be high. Selfefficacy beliefs may be very helpful for not only perception and avoidance of risk for MTCT of HIV but also for coping with the disease and empowering health and socio-economic conditions. However, previous analyses of self-efficacy were found to be only partially useful in the context of PMTCT of HIV. The purpose of this paper is to explore the current knowledge about the selfefficacy concept and clarify its theoretical application in the context of PMTCT of HIV research. The Norris method of concept clarification was used as the guiding framework. Literature Review. Literature review was conducted in MEDLINE, PUBMED, CINHAL, and Google Scholar. Six antecedents of self-efficacy identified were perceived risk, challenges, tasks, goals, adversity, and difficulty. High self-efficacy was found to influence the development of cognitive, personal, behavioral, and environmental factors which influence the adherence of PMTCT strategies and prevention of MTCT of HIV. The clarification of the self-efficacy concept will assist nurse researchers, practitioners, and educators in developing interventions and education strategies aimed at promoting PMTCT of HIV.