Knowledge of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Its Uptake among Antenatal Care Attendees in a Tertiary Hospital in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the leading causes of significant mortality among children especially in Africa. Mother-to-child Transmission can occur during pregnancy, labor or delivery and breastfeeding. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme aims at prevention of HIV transmission from infected pregnant woman to her unborn/newborn baby (vertical transmission).

Objective: To assess knowledge of PMTCT and its’ uptake among antenatal care (ANC) attendees in Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 400 women attending antenatal care clinic (ANC) in Abakaliki using a systematic sampling technique. The clients were interviewed using a pre tested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Knowledge of PMTCT was assessed by the proportion of respondents who answered correctly knowledge questions. Uptake of PMTCT services was assessed by the proportion of respondents who were counseled and tested for HIV in the index pregnancy and respondents’ adoption of infant feeding options and use of ARV.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 28±9 years. The majority (97%) of the respondents were married and had formal education. All the respondents (100%) were aware of HIV/AIDS with 84% good knowledge of PMTCT. Uptake of PMTCT of HIV was significantly associated with respondent’s educational status. Majority of respondents (96%) were willing to undergo HIV testing in the current pregnancy and 89.5% were unwilling to breastfeed if found HIV positive but chose exclusive replacement feeding. Uptake of breastfeeding option was significantly associated with respondent’s educational level (p<0.01). Ninety seven percent of respondents were willing to use ARV if found positive. Sero-prevalence rate among respondents was 1.8%.

Conclusion: Knowledge of PMTCT of HIV among respondents was high. Uptake of breastfeeding option was statistically significant with level of education.

Recommendation: There is need for sustained public awareness creation on PMTCT services available in our health institutions.