Original Research

Knowledge and perception of Prevention of Mother to Child services amongst pregnant women accessing antenatal clinic in a Primary Health Care centre in Nigeria

Eme T. Owoaje, Adedoyin D. Omidokun, Olusimbo K. Ige
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine | Vol 4, No 1 | a432 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v4i1.432 | © 2012 Eme T. Owoaje, Adedoyin D. Omidokun, Olusimbo K. Ige | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 20 February 2012 | Published: 30 October 2012

About the author(s)

Eme T. Owoaje, Department of Community Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Adedoyin D. Omidokun, Department of Community Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Olusimbo K. Ige, Malaria Action Program for States, United States Agency for International Development, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Few studies have assessed pregnant women’s perceptions regarding prevention of mother to child of HIV and the available services at the primary health care level in Nigeria.

Objective: Assessment of knowledge and perception of antenatal clinic (ANC) attendees regarding Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV at primary health care facilities in south-west Nigeria.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst 400 antenatal attendees in a Primary Health Care centre in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Results: Known methods of PMTCT were: use of anti-retroviral treatment (ART) during pregnancy (75.0%), ART at birth (65.8%) and not breastfeeding (61.8%). Previous HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) was reported by 71%, significantly higher proportions of those who were married, in the third trimester of pregnancy or engaged in professional and/or skilled occupations had been tested. Regarding the HCT services provided, 92.2% understood the HIV-related health education provided, 89.7.2% reported that the timing was appropriate, 92.6% assessed the nurses’ approach as acceptable but 34.0% felt the test was forced upon them. Majority (79.6%) were aware of non-breastfeeding options of infant feeding, but only 3.5% were aware of exclusive breastfeeding for a stipulated period as an infant feeding option. Nevertheless, the majority of the women found the non-breast feeding option culturally unacceptable.

Conclusion: Women in this survey were knowledgeable about the methods of PMTCT, but had negative perceptions regarding certain aspects of the HCT services and the recommended non-breastfeeding infant feeding option. Health workers should provide client friendly services and infant feeding counselling that is based on current WHO recommendations and culturally acceptable.


Keywords

HCT; Infant feeding options; PMTCT services; pregnant women; rural PHC centre, south-west Nigeria

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Crossref Citations

1. Knowledge, perception, access and utilisation of HIV counselling and testing among pregnant women in rural communities of Osogbo town, Nigeria
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