Abstract:

Perinatal transmission of HIV/AIDS being increasingly in some years back, the WHO has played a great role to make sure that vertical transmission comes to zero. In Tanzania the government has introduced the strategies in healthy centers to ensure this becomes possible. Though there is still some difficulties in the delivery and practice to both women and the health care givers.

The aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of PMTCT. Specific objectives were to assess knowledge of PMTCT among the perinatal women, to assess the attitude towards PMTCT among perinatal women, to assess the barriers of PMTCT, to assess the response to voluntary testing and counseling antenatal attendance and feeding option.

Results: My study comprised of 150 client, 114 were married, 14 were single 20 were in polygamy and 2 were divorced. 69.3% did not know the most time for transmission, 17.3% during labour and delivery, and 8.7% during breastfeeding, and 4.7% during pregnancy. 8.7% got education from ANC/hospital, 4.0% from school, 2.0% from media, 1.3% from friends, 0.7% neighbors and 83.3% did not have education. 15.3% reported it was satisfactory, 8.7% said it was excellent, 0.7% did not know 75.3% did not have education. 72.7% were tested during pregnancy, 20% tested before pregnancy, 4.7% tested before marriage and 2.7% tested in marriage. 37.3% booked above 6 months, 36.0% at 4 months , 20.0% at 5 months, and 4.0% 2 months and 2.7% at 3 months.

Conclusion: A large proportion of pregnant women do not know about PMTCT. Also majority do not know the routes of MTCT and how each contributes to the transmission, it might be due to their attendance at ANC late and they usually attend less compared to the recommended visits. A proportion who had education at the ANC has declared that it was sufficient and has helped them for VCT before conception for further pregnancies. The results show a few number of clients had VCT though majority tested during pregnancy as it is recommended by the national guideline. The study has shown that being aware of the availability and accessibility of PMTCT services have a positive effect on acceptance of the HIV voluntary counselling and testing.

From my findings we would I recommended the following, PMTCT education should be promoted so as to raise awareness. Awareness should be raised to all ages starting from puberty encouragement of voluntary testing and counseling. Encourage early attendance to ANC and follow the visits as recommended by national guideline.