An investigation into the factors affecting the utilization of mother to child tramission services by human immuno-deficiency virus positive women in Onitsha, Anambra State Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to investigate and identify the factors that affect utilisation of prevention mother to child transmission of HIV services and propose measures to promote utilisation of services by HIV positive pregnant women in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV accounts for over 90% of infections in children under 15 years. Infected pregnant women can pass on the infection to their babies during pregnancy, delivery or through breastfeeding. There are effective interventions now reduce of the infection to the baby. However some infected women still do not avail themselves of these services due to several reasons. A quantitative descriptive study, using the Health Belief Model as the conceptual framework was used to conduct the research. A structured interview schedule was used to interview 102 pregnant women at two health facilities in Onitsha, Anambra state, Nigeria. The findings from the study reveal that majority of the respondents knew about HIV transmission but not about ways the infection can be transmitted from mother-to-child. The respondents recognise that HIV/AIDS is a very serious threat in Nigeria and the study site and were of the opinion that all pregnant women should know their HIV status. The attitude of health care workers and fears about disclosure of HIV status to others was a setback. Revealing their status to the spouse was feared.