Knowledge of PMTCT and Utilization of HCT Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care In A Primary Health Care In South West, Nigeria

HIV infection among children is a growing problem and it occurs mainly through mother to child transmission of the infection.  A questionnaire based cross-sectional survey of 410 antenatal attendees at a model Primary Health Care in Ibadan, Nigeria was conducted. There was universal awareness of HIV, MTCT of HIV through the placenta, breastfeeding and during delivery were commonly identified (Mean Knowledge Score was 78%. Methods of PMTCT identified were use of ART during pregnancy (75.0%), giving baby ART at birth (65.8%) and not breastfeeding (61.8%). Previous voluntary HIV testing was reported by 71%. The main reason for non-testing for those who had not been tested was lack of spousal consent.  In assessing HCT services provided, about 92.0% reported that the nurse’s approach was acceptable; and information given was well understood, 89.7% reported that the timing was appropriate, however 34.0% felt the testing was forced on them.  Most women (79.6%) were aware of non breastfeeding options of infant feeding in PMTCT while only 3.5% were aware of exclusive breastfeeding for a stipulated period as an infant feeding option.

Most respondents were knowledgeable of the modes transmission of MTCT and the methods of prevention, however majority of the respondents complaints of the nurses approach during HIV Counseling and Testing to be bad. Nurses should be trained on how to render proper HIV Counseling and Testing

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