Epidemiology International Journal (EIJ)
ISSN: 2639-2038
Research Article
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Coverage among HIV
Positive Pregnant Women Accessing Antenatal Services in Ondo
State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: As PMTCT services are being decentralized to primary health centres, it becomes important to understand the disposition of clients at this level to effective coverage and service utilization of its intervention. However despite concerted efforts to scale-up PMTCT interventions in Nigeria, the coverage and uptake of the service by pregnant women remain low.
Objective: To determine factors influencing utilization of PMTCT intervention by HIV positive pregnant women assessing ANC services in selected Comprehensive Centres in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Study Area: The study was conducted at the selected Comprehensive Centres, Ondo State Study Population: All consenting HIV positive pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic within the four months (Oct.,2019-Jan.,2020) period of the research.
Methodology: The data was collected using a structured questionnaire through direct interview of the participants.
Results: A total of three hundred and eighty-five (385) HIV-positive pregnant women were recruited in the study at the Antenatal clinic in eight (8) selected Comprehensive Centres in Ondo State. PMTCT service utilization among HIV-positive pregnant women revealed strong association with two independent variables in this study; spouse/partner permission to uptake HCT (OR=3.7, CI=2.3-6.1, p=0.00), disclosure of result to spouse (OR=1.5, CI=0.9-2.3, p=0.00). Predictor of PMTCT intervention in this study was evident among those who practice religion. Women who practice Islamic as a religion recorded lower chances of utilizing the services compare to the Christian. Conclusion: Evidence from this study suggests two significant findings. First is that infants to be born to HIV-positive mothers are more likely to become HIV-positive if they have a mother who has failed to disclose her HIV-positive status, and second is that the socio-demographic profile of the study suggests an important relationship between women taking permission from the spouse to uptake HCT and disclosure of HCT results to their spouse. The success of PMTCT of HIV depends on identifying and integrating effective methods through ANC to address safe disclosure, closing gaps in geographical coverage, accessing and utilization of the services.
Keywords: Transmission of HIV; HIV Virus; PMTCT Coverage; Counselling and Testing
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