Prevalence of HIV Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The broad objective of the study is to access the prevalence rate of HIV among pregnant women attending antennal. The general objectives of the study are;
- To determine and compare knowledge of pregnant women regarding PMTCT the FCT.
- To determine and compare attitudes of pregnant women regarding PMTCT in the FCT
- To determine and compare practice of PMTCT among pregnant women in the FCT.
- To identify factors that influenced Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of PMTCT among pregnant women in the FCT.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter reviews the literature on prevalence of HIV among women attending antenatal. It discusses issues arising from the topic of discuss as viewed from different perspectives, with a view of giving a theoretical and empirical foundation to the study.
THE HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC
The HIV and AIDS pandemic is one of the most serious health crises the world is facing today. A disproportionate burden has been placed on women and children, who in many settings continue to experience high rates of new HIV infections and of HIV-related illness and death. In 2009, 33.3 million individuals were living with HIV, of whom 15.7 million were women and 2.1 million were children under 15 years of age. Globally, HIV is the leading cause of death in women of reproductive age. Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria (2010). Since nearly all HIV infections in children are acquired from their mothers, the global epidemiology of HIV in children reflects that of HIV in women. It has been estimated that, in 2009, there were 370, 000 new paediatric infections with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for about 90% of both of these figures. Nearly all such infections can be prevented by PMTCT programmes providing highly effective ART and ARV prophylaxis interventions. Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria (2010) Sub-Saharan Africa has continued to bear the greatest burden of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, with approximately 67.6% of the total number of people living with HIV, 69.2% of the 2.6 million of total new infections and 72.2% of the 1.8 million deaths in 2009. Over the decades, the epidemic, once dominated by infected males has become progressively feminized and in sub-Saharan Africa approximately 60% of adults living with HIV are women. Over 90% of infection in children is acquired through mother-to- child transmission (MTCT) and as more women contract the virus, the number of children infected has been growing Addisu B, Abebe GM (2012). Since the first case of AIDS was reported in a 13- year old girl in Nigeria in 1986, the epidemic has persisted with National HIV sero-prevalence rate of 1.8% in 1991, 5.8% in 2001 and 4.4% in 2005. It is currently at 4.6% in 2008 antenatal survey Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria(2010). The prevalence rate in Nigerian states ranges from 1.0 to 10.6%. Seventeen states had rates above 5%. The prevalence was generally higher in urban areas except in nine states and the FCT. Among young persons, the highest prevalence of 5.6% was in the age group of 25 to 29 year olds. By the end of 2008, it was estimated that there were 2.95 million Nigerians living with HIV. New infections in adults were 323,000 while 57,000 infants were born with HIV. Heterosexual transmission accounts for nearly 80%, while MTCT and use of unsterilized sharps, infected blood and blood products accounted for 10% Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria(2010).
THE CONCEPT OF PMTCT
HIV can be transmitted from an HIV-positive woman to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), which is also known as ‘vertical transmission’, accounts for the vast majority of infections in children (0-14 years).Without treatment, if a pregnant woman is living with HIV the likelihood of the virus passing from mother-to-child is 15% to 45%. However, antiretroviral treatment (ART) and other interventions can reduce this risk to below 5%. PMTCT programmes provide a range of services to women and infants.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to a critical analysis of prevalence of HIV among pregnant women attending antenatal.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information a critical analysis of prevalence of HIV among pregnant women attending antenatal. 100 health officials and 100 women attending antenatal in 10 antenatal clinics in the FCT were selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain a critical analysis of prevalence of HIV among pregnant women attending antenatal.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations are made, which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefit in addressing the challenges of HIV pandemic in Nigeria
Summary
This study aimed at having a critical analysis of prevalence of HIV among pregnant women attending antenatal. Four objectives were raised. These objectives include: To determine and compare knowledge of pregnant women regarding PMTCT the FCT, to determine and compare attitudes of pregnant women regarding PMTCT in the FCT, to determine and compare practice of PMTCT among pregnant women in the FCT, to identify factors that influenced Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of PMTCT among pregnant women in the FCT.
Conclusion
Based on the above findings pertaining to the objectives of the study the following conclusions are drawn.
The study revealed that HIV prevalence rate amongst women attending antenatal has reduced to a great extent, as compared to what was obtained in previous year. There were significant difference in good knowledge of HIV, ways it can be transmitted, conditions of positive mothers that promote MTCT, conditions in infant that promote acquiring HIV and how MTCT can be prevented between the groups.
It was also observed that there were concerns regarding disclosure of one’s status and that these include fear of reappraisals from the partner’s reaction.
Recommendation
Much as there are those mothers and people in the FCT who really know about the details of HIV program and services, a big number still do not know the program benefits in details. Therefore, measures should be put in place to make sure the correct and detailed information reaches the community. There is need to create partnership between Ministry of Health and other NGOs so that some programs are harmonized to benefit the community and the target population. The Government should implement the PMTCT Plus (option B plus) as recommended in the 2013 WHO consolidated guidelines for treating and preventing HIV infection so that the partner and other family members can access HIV prevention, care and support services. There is need to carry out an In-depth investigation on mothers enrolled for PMTCT program so that their experiences are documented and shared. This will help the program implementers ensure quality services without stigmatizing the clients. HIV and PMTCT interventions should include public awareness, education and campaigns that target the general population including child bearing age women especially in rural areas. Health workers at the antenatal clinics should educate mothers on the services that are offered with regards to PMTCT of HIV and also provide information of the benefits of the services in order to assist pregnant women to make informed decisions.
REFERENCES
- Adeleke SI, Mukhtar-Yola M, Gwarzo GD. Awareness and Knowledge of mother attending the pediatric HIV clinic, Kano, Nigeria. Annals of African Medicine. 2009;(4)210-214.
- African Journal of Reproductive Health, 2004;8(2):91-100
- Ekanem EE, Gbadegesin A. Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for human immunodeficiency virus: a study on acceptability by Nigerian women attending antenatal clinics.
- Eme TO, Adedoyin DO and Olusimbo KI. African Journal of Primary Health Care& Family Medicine; 2012;4(17); 1-7.
- Family Health International, Nigeria. Strengthening Integrated Delivery of HIV and AIDS Services: Prevention of Mother-To-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. PMTCT Technical strategy. 2012.
- Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. National Guidelines for Prevention of Mother-To-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV: Fourth edition. 2010
- Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey, 2008. Abuja: Federal Ministry of Health
- Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria. The 2010 national HIV seroprevalence sentinel survey among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria: Technical report. 2006. Abuja: Federal Ministry of Health
- Geoffery ZC. Study on the knowledge, attitude and intended practices o
