Fregenet Zekiewos
Wachemo university Hosaena, Ethiopia.
Title: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS and associated factors among pregnant women in Hossana Town, Southern Ethiopia
Biography
Biography: Fregenet Zekiewos
Abstract
Background: Mother-to-child transmission is by far the largest source of HIV infection in children below the age of 15 year and accounts for 90% of childhood HIV infections. The transmission of HIV from infected mothers to babies could occur during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. For women to take advantage of measures to reduce transmission, they need to know their HIV status. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices towards prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS and associated factors among pregnant women in Hossana town Methods: community based cross-sectional study was conducted at Hossana town from November 2013- December 2014. Of a total of 422 sample women, 417 pregnant women in Hossana town was included in the study and data were collected by using pre tested structured questionnaire. The collected data were cleaned, edited, fed to computer to be analyzed using SPSS window version 16.0. Results were presented by ratios, tables & diagrams. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were done to identify factors associated with KAP towards PMTCT. Result: A total of 417 pregnant women responded to the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 98.8%.78.2% knew that the risk of MTCT of HIV can be prevented. 69.92% responded that ART should be started as soon as the status known. 64% of the respondents had good knowledge (greater than average score) on PMTCT. Majority, 98.3% of the respondents had good attitude. 90.4% respondents were practiced PMTCT of HIV. Most, 90.4% mothers tested for HIV during current pregnancy and 93.9% shared test result to their husbands/partners. Husband’s attended higher education, family size of 9-11, Place of the most recent child delivery being health facility, ANC visit for current pregnancy, Awared on HIV counselling and testing, Participated during community conversation on HIV/AIDS issues had shown significant association with knowledge of PMTCT of HIV. On the other hand, Knowledge of MTCT of HIV had shown significant association with practice of PMTCT of HIV. Conclusion: More than three-forth (78.2%) mothers knew about PMTCT of HIV and 44.7% knew ART drugs could reduce risk of MTCT of HIV. Majority, 98.3% had good attitude towards PMTCT of HIV. Most, 90.4% mothers tested for HIV during current pregnancy and 93.9% shared test result to their husbands/partners. Recommendation: Awareness creation activities on HIV/AIDS in general and prevention of MTCT in particular through distribution of ICE/BCC materials, mass medias and maternal and child health service units should be strengthened.