Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV; Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Determinants among Pregnant Women in Abia State, Nigeria

Aim: This was to ascertain the knowledge, attitude, practice and determinants of Prevention of Mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) of HIV among pregnant women in Abia State, Nigeria.

Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study was used.

Place and Duration of Study: Selected Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the state between January and June 2015.

Methodology: Pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic eligible for voluntary participation were selected and studied using pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaire. Multistage sampling technique was used.

Results: It was based on 350 pregnant women (175 each for urban and rural). Their mean ages were 32.46±10.12 for urban and 33.24±9.31 for rural. Majority had at least secondary education, 95.5% for urban and 96.4% for rural. There were good knowledge, positive attitude and good practice of HIV and PMTCT services in both groups though higher in urban areas. Mean knowledge and attitude showed significant difference between the groups p < 0.001 but not significant for practice p=0.45. For knowledge; occupation (χ2=8.044, p=0.045) and monthly income (χ2 =7.126, p= 0.008) were significant for urban, monthly income (χ2 =4.996, p= 0.025) was for rural. Occupation was significantly associated with practice for rural (χ2=8.717, p=0.03). Civil/public servants (OR =9.6, 95% CI: 1.13-80.82) in urban (OR =1.1, 95% CI: 0.46-2.77) in rural group. Those earning >15000 (OR = 4.5, 95% CI: 1.75-13.71) in urban (OR =5.4 95% CI: 1.28-22.63) in rural for knowledge. Equally Civil/public servants 2.1 times (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 0.99-4.59) in urban, (OR =2.1, 95% CI: 1.01-4.19) in rural group for practice.

Conclusion: Knowledge attitude and practice on PMTCT were good among pregnant women. Occupation and monthly income influences knowledge and practice of PMTCT and as well were predictors of good knowledge and practice of PMTCT. This needs to be improved on and sustained to curb the scourging menace of HIV.