Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of General Medical Practitioners In Port Harcourt Towards The Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV

Authors

  • Ola Okike Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt
  • Jeremiah Isreal Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri
  • Christian Akani Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, *University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt

Keywords:

KAP, Private Practitioners, HIV/AIDs, PMTCT

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women living with HIV infection are at risk of transmitting HIV to their babies. Most of this transmission occurs during labour and delivery and during breast feeding. About 45% of all deliveries are conducted in private clinics. This study aims to access the knowledge, attitude and practice of general medical practitioner in Port Harcourt toward the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was carried out on two hundred and twenty four private medical practitioners in Port Harcourt. Data management was carried out using SPSS 15 for windows® statistical software.

Results: Only 50% of respondents had read the national guideline on PMTCT while 48.2% had three or more sources of information on PMTCT. Majority of the respondents (95.5%) identified prevention of HIV in the pediatric age group as the primary aim of PMTCT. Labour was identified by 80%of respondents as the time of transmission of MTCT of HIV while 48.2% preferred a specialist unit for HIV positive pregnant women. Forty two percent would screen pregnant women without consent. About half (46.6%) do not offer antenatal or delivery services to HIV positive women. Of the doctors that offer those services 58.7% could name 2 or more drugs to prevent MTCT of HIV during pregnancy. Of the respondents, 74% would offer HIV positive women elective caesarean section. Most of the respondents (89.3%) agreed that their knowledge, attitude and practice of PMTCT was deficient and 90.1% were willing to attend an update course.

Conclusion: The Private General Practitioners were not well informed on practical aspects of prevention of MTCT of HIV/AIDS. They showed a discriminatory attitude towards HIV positive pregnant women

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Published

2015-12-06

How to Cite

Okike, O., Isreal, J., & Akani, C. (2015). Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of General Medical Practitioners In Port Harcourt Towards The Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV. The Nigerian Health Journal, 11(3), 79. Retrieved from https://tnhjph.com/index.php/tnhj/article/view/61

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