KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF PREGNANT WOMEN REGARDING MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION (MTCT) OF HIV AT RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is an infection that attacks the
body’s immune system. It is a major disease of public health importance worldwide
affecting all genders and people of all ages in both developing and developed countries.
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is the spread of HIV from a woman with HIV to
her child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. It is a disease of increasing
morbidity, and mortality and of great economic importance in developing countries
such as Nigeria.
This study assessed the knowledge and attitude about MTCT of HIV among pregnant
women attending the antenatal clinic at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study that assessed the knowledge and
attitude among 251 pregnant women attending ante-natal in RSUTH towards motherto-child transmission of HIV. A semi-structured, interviewer-administered
questionnaire was used to collect information about the knowledge and attitude of
pregnant women in RSUTH toward mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Result: A total of 251 women took part in this study. 164 (65.3%) were aged between
26-35 years. 90.8% were married.187 (74.5%) had a tertiary level of education. A
majority179 (71.3%) had 1-2 number of pregnancies.
The study showed that 179 (71.4%) respondents had good knowledge of HIV, while
167 (66.7%) had good knowledge of MTCT of HIV and 113 (45.5%), had a good
attitude towards MTCT of HIV. This study also found that women aged 26-35 had better
knowledge and attitudes towards MTCT of HIV (P=0.001).xiii
Conclusion: The study shows good knowledge HIV and knowledge of MTCT of HIV
among respondents. Slightly less than half had good attitude towards MTCT of HIV.
Information regarding the MTCT of HIV was obtained predominantly from the
hospital. The majority with comprehensive knowledge and positive attitudes are aged
26-35.
Keywords: HIV, Mother To Child Transmission of HIV, Knowledge, Attitudes.
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