Some factors associated with mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus among ante-natal mothers in catholic hospitals, Meru Central District, Kenya
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Date
2011-12-28
Authors
Koskei, Justice Kiplangat
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Abstract
Mother-to-child transmission is a major route of infection for Human Immuno deficiency Virus (HIV) among children under age five in developing countries. HIV is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa where 90% of all children born with HIV in the world live. The major routes of infection are pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. Out of 1.2 million births annually in Kenya, 106,000 children under five years are HIV positive. The study looked at factors associated with MTCT of HIV among ante-natal mothers and the role of TBAs in Meru Central District. Cross-sectional study design was used. A sample size of 863 ante-natal mothers was used. Twelve HCWs and 72 community members were interviewed. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires and analysed using frequencies, percentages and chi-square tests. Focus group discussions were used to were used to validate data and tables, graphs and figures were used for presentation. Most of the ante-natal mothers were literate (=640; p < 0.05), poor and married young. The older they were the less likely they would be married (=703.2; p < 0.05). This predisposed them to early pregnancy and risks of MTCT of HIV. Spousal unfaithfulness was significant among risk factors (=331.5529; p < 0.05). Ante-natal care was mostly done by TBAs using shared surgical instruments with little knowledge on modes of HIV transmission. Inadequate counselling caused dissatisfaction among ante-natal mothers (=290.1664; p < 0.05). No relationship existed between HCWs' advice on baby weaning and when to begin (=2620.8693; p < 0.05). Though most of the HCWs had an additional job-relevant training, they were inadequate in basis training and hence in implementation. These findings are useful in understanding the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of ante-natal mothers as key factors in PMTCT of HIV and in recognising the capacity of MCHCs in Catholic hospitalism staffing constraints, training needs of HCWs and the role TBAs and the role TBAs and teeth removers in MTCT. The findings reflect similar scenario in Mission Hospitals countrywide since they share similar policies mostly in rural setting. It is recommended that the hospitals train their HCWs in MTCT of HIV and deploy them appropriately. There is need to strengthen home-based care of ante-natal mothers by recognizing the role of TBAs, to retrain and collaborate with them for more effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Description
The RA 644.A25K6
Keywords
AIDS (Disease)--Transmission--Kenya--Meru Central//HIV infections--Kenya--Meru Central