Predictors of HIV Positive Pregnant Women's Use of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Services in Taraba State: A Mixed Method Approach (original) (raw)

Background: It has been estimated that 90 per cent of paediatric HIV is through mother-to-child transmission, and the incidence of mother-to-child transmission is 40% among HIV positive pregnant women. Research has shown a reduction in the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) to less than 2% to 5% in non-breastfeeding and breastfeeding mothers respectively with the introduction of PMTCT services such as; reproductive health services, family planning services, HIV counseling and testing/partner counselling and referral services (PCRS), antiretroviral drugs for infected women and children, safe delivery services, infant feeding options and support, early infant diagnosis within six weeks, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test done six weeks after cessation of breast feeding, and community support. These services may be available but certain factors may interfere with their access and utilization by HIV positive pregnant women. This study therefore sought to determine factors that predict the utilization of PMTCT services among HIV positive pregnant women in Taraba State, Nigeria. Methods: The study adopted a mixed-method research design employing an institutional based cross sectional design. The population for the study consisted of 3,315 HIV positive pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic and their service providers. Cluster random sampling technique was used to select facilities for the study. Convenience random sampling technique was used to select 605 HIV positive pregnant women (HIV positive pregnant women who were present during antenatal clinic days, who give their consent will be included in the study). The key informants for the study were selected using purposive sampling technique. A questionnaire and Key informant interview protocol were used for data collection. Percentages, Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the quantitative data while the qualitative data were thematically analyzed using Nvivo software. Results: Demographic factors of age, education, marital status and distance were associated with PMTCT services utilization, however, only age was a predictor of PMTCT services utilization (p≤0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that some demographic factors (age, occupation, educational level) are associated with PMTCT services utilization, while only age predicted HIV positive pregnant women's utilization of PMTCT services. This predictor could be addressed through health education especially among the older women, text message reminders and some incentives.