Effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Southern Ethiopia
Behailu Merdekios1, Adebola A Adedimeji2 1College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia; 2Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus, New York, USA Background: In Ethiopia, Progress in Reducing Mother-to-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodef...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2011-11-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Women's Health |
| Online Access: | http://www.dovepress.com/effectiveness-of-interventions-to-prevent-mother-to-child-transmission-a8591 |
| _version_ | 1818120271839625216 |
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| author | Merdekios B Adedimeji AA |
| author_facet | Merdekios B Adedimeji AA |
| author_sort | Merdekios B |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Behailu Merdekios1, Adebola A Adedimeji2 1College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia; 2Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus, New York, USA Background: In Ethiopia, Progress in Reducing Mother-to-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is being curtailed by behavioral and cultural factors that continue to put unborn children at risk, and mother-to-child transmission is responsible for more than 90% of HIV infection in children. The objective of this study was to assess PMTCT services by examining knowledge about reducing vertical transmission among pregnant women. Methods: A multistaged sampling institution-based survey was conducted in 113 pregnant women in Arba Minch. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained. Results: Of the 113 respondents, 89.4% were from Arba Minch, 43.4% were at least 25 years of age, 73.4% had formal education at primary level or above, 100% reported acceptance of voluntary counseling and testing, 92.0% were knowledgeable about mother-to-child transmission, and 90.3% were aware of the availability of the PMTCT service in the health facility. Of 74 HIV-positive women in PMTCT, only three (4.1%) had had skilled birth attendants at delivery. There was an unacceptable degree of loss of women from PMTCT. Maternal educational level had a statistical association with income (P < 0.001) and voluntary counseling and testing for pregnant women (P < 0.05). Factors that determined use of PMTCT included culture, socioeconomic status, and fear of stigma and discrimination. Conclusion: In the area studied, intervention to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV is failing to reach its goal. This is an alarming discovery requiring quick reconsideration and strengthening of preventive strategies at all levels. Keywords: human immunodeficiency virus, mother-to-child transmission, pregnant women, Ethiopia |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T05:23:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9c45680c9e494080835a15881736d9b5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-1411 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T05:23:27Z |
| publishDate | 2011-11-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-9c45680c9e494080835a15881736d9b52022-12-22T01:19:38ZengDove Medical PressInternational Journal of Women's Health1179-14112011-11-012011default359366Effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Southern EthiopiaMerdekios BAdedimeji AABehailu Merdekios1, Adebola A Adedimeji2 1College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia; 2Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus, New York, USA Background: In Ethiopia, Progress in Reducing Mother-to-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is being curtailed by behavioral and cultural factors that continue to put unborn children at risk, and mother-to-child transmission is responsible for more than 90% of HIV infection in children. The objective of this study was to assess PMTCT services by examining knowledge about reducing vertical transmission among pregnant women. Methods: A multistaged sampling institution-based survey was conducted in 113 pregnant women in Arba Minch. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained. Results: Of the 113 respondents, 89.4% were from Arba Minch, 43.4% were at least 25 years of age, 73.4% had formal education at primary level or above, 100% reported acceptance of voluntary counseling and testing, 92.0% were knowledgeable about mother-to-child transmission, and 90.3% were aware of the availability of the PMTCT service in the health facility. Of 74 HIV-positive women in PMTCT, only three (4.1%) had had skilled birth attendants at delivery. There was an unacceptable degree of loss of women from PMTCT. Maternal educational level had a statistical association with income (P < 0.001) and voluntary counseling and testing for pregnant women (P < 0.05). Factors that determined use of PMTCT included culture, socioeconomic status, and fear of stigma and discrimination. Conclusion: In the area studied, intervention to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV is failing to reach its goal. This is an alarming discovery requiring quick reconsideration and strengthening of preventive strategies at all levels. Keywords: human immunodeficiency virus, mother-to-child transmission, pregnant women, Ethiopiahttp://www.dovepress.com/effectiveness-of-interventions-to-prevent-mother-to-child-transmission-a8591 |
| spellingShingle | Merdekios B Adedimeji AA Effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Southern Ethiopia International Journal of Women's Health |
| title | Effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Southern Ethiopia |
| title_full | Effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Southern Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Southern Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Southern Ethiopia |
| title_short | Effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Southern Ethiopia |
| title_sort | effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother to child transmission of hiv in southern ethiopia |
| url | http://www.dovepress.com/effectiveness-of-interventions-to-prevent-mother-to-child-transmission-a8591 |
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