Abstract
Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the predominant way for children to acquire human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide including Ethiopia. Thus, objective of this study was to determine the status of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services utilization and factors affecting PMTCT utilization in health facilities of Afar region, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014 to April 2015 taking 347 pregnant women and 22 health care providers. Data were collected using a questioner prepared separately for pregnant women and health care providers involved in PMTCT service delivery. Data were analyzed using SPSS considering P value <0.05 statistical significant. The study indicated that the PMTCT service utilization was 67.7%. The study also showed that there is statistically significant association in using PMTCT service with women education level, monthly income, and residence around PMTCT site. Though not statistically significant, excess waiting time, limited physical access to PMTCT sites, and transportation problem were identified as barriers for PMTCT service utilization by pregnant women. Though knowledge of mothers on MTCT of HIV and PMTCT service utilization in agropostural community of Afar region was promising, there were also different barriers identified hindering PMTCT utilization. Thus, we recommend “Wored” and zonal health office to create awareness on significance of PMTCT service in the community, enhance accessibility of PMTCT sites, provide up-to-date trainings for health care providers, and ensure constant supply for PMTCT service.
Highlights
Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can give birth to infants infected with HIV which is known as mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) contributing major proportion for new HIV infections among children
E knowledge of pregnant women included in the present study about MTCT of HIV was quite higher (46.4%) than the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data of the region in 2014 (36%). is variation might be explained that the present study was conducted in urban and semiurban community compare to the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data conducted in the total Afar population. is result, was lower than a similar study conducted in Addis Ababa, 90.3% [8], and Sebeta town, Ethiopia (64.9%) [13]. is variation might be due to the difference in education level where 35.7% of the study participants in the present study were illiterate which is higher than those in the study in Addis Ababa (21%) [8] and Sebeta town (17.1%) [13]
The present study showed promising findings on knowledge of mothers on MTCT of HIV and level of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) service utilization
Summary
Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can give birth to infants infected with HIV which is known as mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) contributing major proportion for new HIV infections among children. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is causing significant impact contributing 700,000 estimated new HIV infections in children annually in the globally [1]. Based on 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) data, around 76% of all pregnant women living with HIV globally received medicines that prevent HIV transmission to their babies [3]. WHO recommends countries, including Ethiopia, to implement prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) as it is the most effective strategy for preventing HIV to the pediatrics [4]. The national coverage of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive pregnant mothers in 2012 was 42.9%, and the Afar regional state coverage (the present study site) was only 20% in the same
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