Factors Influencing Utilization of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS Services Among Pregnant Women In Selected Government Health Facilities In Ukwuani L.G.A of Delta State
- February 15, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: Health Sciences, IJRIAS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VI, Issue I, January 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Oliweh Ifeanyi Solomon, Dr. (Mrs.) Oyem Ifeanyi M.
Integrated Science Department, College of Education, Agbor Delta State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study was set out to assess the factors influencing the utilization of prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS services among pregnant women in selected government health facilities in Ukwuani L.G.A of Delta State. In carrying out this study, the researcher received a number of related literatures in the topic. In line with the three objectives of the study, three questions were postulated. The study is significant to the pregnant women, health care providers (nurses/mid wives) to the society as well as the researcher. It exposed the level of knowledge of PMTCT, the extent of utilization and factors influencing the utilization of PMTCT of HIV/AIDS services. Descriptive non experimental design was adopted for the study, and a random sampling technique was used in selecting the health facilities while a convenient sampling was used in selecting the participants. A self developed questionnaire was administered to the respondents and same retrieved, analysis of data was done using frequency distribution table, percentage and charts. Results obtained revealed that pregnant women in Ukwuani L.G.A of Delta State had a good knowledge about PMTCT of HIV/AIDS services, but extent of utilization is very poor, due to stigmatization among other factors. Based on the findings, recommendations were made for PMTCT of HIV/AIDS should be a care part of antenatal education as well as organization of seminars and work on PMTCT of all level of health care for care providers and general population.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Utilization, Transmission, PMTCT services
INTRODUCTION
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the causative organism of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome which was first discovered in the year 1981. UNAIDS, (2006) noted that despite years of campaigns, advocacy, control programmes and awareness exercises taken to curb HIV/AIDS spread, there is still a worrisome rate of increase of the infection. According to United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS, 2006), about 33.3 million people are estimated to live with the Virus globally; 22.5 million of this population are from the sub-sharan Africa. Over 55% of these people living with HIV are women of reproductive age who became pregnant. HIV infection in women of reproductive age increases the epidemic of Peri-natal HIV. About 2.5 million children live with HIV globally and 1.8 million are from sub-sharan Africa, world-wide, over 1,700 children became infected with HIV daily (UNAIDS, 2006).
