Knowledge and perception of Prevention of Mother to Child services amongst pregnant women accessing antenatal clinic in a Primary Health Care centre in Nigeria/Connaissance et perception des services de prevention de la transmission de la mere a l'enfant chez des femmes enceintes beneficiant de consultations prenatales dans un centre de soins primaires au Nigeria

• Published in: African journal of primary health care & family medicine Vol. 4; no. 1
• Main Authors: Owoaje, Eme T, Omidokun, Adedoyin D, Ige, Olusimbo K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a AOSIS 01.01.2012
• Subjects: Breast feeding; Health care industry; HIV testing; Medical personnel; Pregnant women; Primary health care; Social service; Surveys
• ISSN: 2071-2928; 2071-2936
• DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v4i1.432

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. Contexte: Peu d'etudes ont evalue la perception des femmes enceintes concernant la Prevention de la Transmission de la Mere a l'Enfant (PTME) du VIH et les services disponibles au niveau des soins de sante primaires au Nigeria. Objectif: L'evaluation de la connaissance et de la perception des femmes dans les cliniques prenatales concernant la PTME du VIH dans les centres de soins de sante primaires dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria. Methode: Une enquete transversale a ete realisee aupres de 400 femmes beneficiant de soins prenatals dans un centre de soins de sante primaires a Idaban, Nigeria. Resultats: Les methodes de PTME connues sont : le traitement ART pendant la grossesse (75.0%), le traitement antiretroviral (ART) a la naissance (65.8%) et le fait de ne pas allaiter (61.8%). Un suivi anterieur de services de conseil et de depistage du VIH a ete declare par 71 % des femmes, une proportion nettement plus elevee des femmes mariees, dans leur troisieme trimestre de grossesse ou exercant une activite professionnelle et/ou qualifiee ayant ete depistees. En ce qui concerne les services de conseil et de depistage fournis, 92.2% ont compris l'education a la sante liee au VIH dispensee, 89.7% ont declare que le calendrier etait approprie, 92.6% ont evalue l'approche des infirmieres comme etant acceptable mais 34.0% ont considere que le depistage leur avait ete impose. La majorite (79.6%) connaissait les options d'alimentation du nourrisson sans allaitement maternel, mais seulement 3.5% connaissaient l'allaitement maternel exclusif pendant une certaine periode de temps comme option d'alimentation du nourrisson. Neanmoins, la majorite des femmes pensait que le fait de ne pas allaiter etait une option culturellement inacceptable. Conclusion: Les femmes de cette enquete connaissaient les methodes de PTME, mais avaient une perception negative de certains aspects des services de conseil et de depistage et de la recom mandation de l'option d'alimentation du nourrisson consistant a ne pas allaiter. Les travailleurs de la sante devraient fournir des services adaptes aux patientes et des conseils sur l'alimentation du nourrisson bases sur les recommandations de l'OMS et culturellement acceptables.