Abstract:

Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infections is the transmission of the virus from an HIV- infected mother to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS. (PMTCT) is a comprehensive management approach aimed at the wellbeing of all women of reproductive age, provision of HIV screening for all women, prevention of new infections among infants born to HIV positive mothers and management of HIV positive mothers. This program was started following the increase prevalence of infant mortality, with HIV ranked as the fifth cause.

Objectives: To assess knowledge and practice of PMTCT among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Kishapu health centre.

Methodology: A cross sectional study, data were collected through structured questioner which was provided to all mothers who meet an eligible criteria of this study. Data were entered and analyzed by SPSS.

Results: Majority of respondent 187 (74.8%) of studied population knew about vertical transmission, 171 (68.4%) knew about prevention of MTCT of HIV, majority of respondent knew about EBF 206 (82.4%). Although majority of respondents 180 (72.3%) and 182 (72.8%) they don’t know risk of MTCT of HIV during breast feeding. Among of 250 respondents 247 (94.4%) women were tested for HIV and knows their status, in which a total of 191 (76.4%) respondents were tested less than six months in recent pregnant and all shared result with their partner. 236 (94.4%) were HIV negative and 11 (4.4%) HIV positive. Of which all HIV positive 11 (4.4%) were already started lifelong ARV.

Conclusion: Knowledge about mother to a child transmission of HIV is high and PMTCT is well practiced at the areas except the majority of the respondents did not know the risk factors that increase MTCT during breast feeding.