Assessing the knowledge of pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic At Holy Family Hospital on the practice of PMTCT

Abstract

Purpose: The study aims to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices about PMTCT of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bono Regional Hospital. Methodology: A descriptive exploratory design study design was adopted. Simple random sampling technique was used in the selection of the participants during the data collection period. A total of 50 respondents were selected. A structured questionnaire was used as the primary method of data collection. Finding: The results showed that a huge percentage 96% of the respondents had heard of PMTCT. 78% (n39) said HIV can be transmitted from a mother to her baby, 12% (n6) were not sure, 6% (n3) did not know about transmission of HIV from mother to the baby and 4% (n2) said it cannot happen. The study found that 54% of the respondents mentioned health provider as their source of information on PMTCT. 72% (n36) mentioned that pregnant women should take drugs before delivery/during labour followed by HIV testing and counseling of pregnant women 28% (n14), delivery by caesarean section 20% (n10) among other actions. 98% (n49) had had HIV test whiles 2% (n1) had not had the test. 64% (n32) said they do not have HIV test every three months whiles 36% (n18) said they do. 96% (n48) of the respondents were said they were offered PMTCT counselling by a staff upon arrival at the hospital. Out of those who were offered PMTCT counselling by a staff, 93.8% (n45) said they have been convinced to use PMTCT services. III Conclusion: The study found that respondents had moderate knowledge on PMTCT of HIV/AIDS. Regarding PMTCT practice, it was found that almost all respondents (98.5%) had undergone an HIV test and the majority. Recommendation: It is recommended that MoH should strengthen mass media campaigns to improve the knowledge and positive attitude of people towards the PMTCT program