Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Study on Acceptability by Nigerian Women Attending Antenatal Clinics

EE Ekanem, A Gbadegesin

Abstract

This study was carried out among 345 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at two health facilities in Lagos, Nigeria. It was undertaken to determine their knowledge and acceptability of HIV voluntary counselling and testing in pregnancy as a strategy for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. Data were collected on issues relating to mother-to-child transmission of HIV, willingness to go for voluntary counselling and testing, actions to be taken if a pregnant woman was found to be HIV positive including infant feeding options. Majority of the women (89.9%) had good knowledge of the modes of HIV transmission, however, knowledge of specific aspects of PMTCT was poor. Close to half of the women (41.7%) were not aware of the association between breast milk and HIV transmission. Almost all the women (96.1%) were willing to undergo HIV testing in pregnancy particularly if it would assist preventing transmission of HIV to their babies; but only few would undergo the test if the result would be shared with relatives. Many of the women would still prefer breastfeeding even if they were found to be HIV positive. Awareness of anti-retroviral drugs among the study group was very poor. As the country is about to embark on its PMTCT programme, there is need to increase the level of knowledge, acceptability and adoption of VCT and other PMTCT strategies among potential beneficiaries. Innovative information and education techniques need to be developed to provide HIV positive mothers with knowledge and skills that can enable them to make informed choices about infant feeding options and other forms of care. (Afr J Reprod Health 2004; 8[2]: 91-100)

Full Text:

PDF

References

UNAIDS. Report on the Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic. Geneva, UNAIDS 2000.

Karim Q, Karim S, Solden K and Zondi M. Reducing the stigma of HIV infection among South African sex workers: socio-economic and gender barriers. Am J Pub Health 1995; 85(11): 1521-25.

UNAIDS. Voluntary counseling and testing. UNAIDS Technical Update. Geneva, 2000.

UNAIDS. Policy Statement on HIV Testing and Counselling. Geneva: UNAIDS, 1997.

UNAIDS. Counselling and Voluntary HIV Testing for Pregnant Women in High HIV Prevalence Countries: Guidance for Service providers. Geneva: UNAIDS, 1999.

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Administration of Zidovudine during late pregnancy to prevent perinatal HIV transmission - Thailand 1996-1998. MMWR 1998; 47: 151-153

The voluntary HIV counselling and testing efficacy study group. Efficacy of voluntary HIV counselling and testing in individuals and couples in Kenya, Tanzania and Trinidad: a randomised trial. The Lancet 2000; 356(9224): 103-112.

Balmer D, Grinstead OA, Kihuho F, Gregorich SE, Sweat DM, Kamenga MC, Plummer AF, O'Redy CR, Keliboda S, Van Praag E and Coates TJ. Characteristics of individuals and couples seeking HIV-1 Prevention services in Nairobi Kenya; The voluntary HIV-1 counselling and testing Efficacy study. AIDS and Behaviour 2000; 4(1): 15-23.

Coulibaly D, Msellati P, Dedy S, Welfens Ekra C and Dabis F. Attitudes and behaviour of pregnant women towards HIV screening in Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) in 1995 and 1996. Sante 1998; 8(3): 234-238.

Cartoux M. Acceptability of prenatal HIV screening in Africa 1997. AIDS 1998; 12: 489-493.

Killewo JZ, Kwesigabo G, Comoro C, Lugalla J, Mhalu FS, Biberfield G, Wall S and Sandstrom A. Acceptability of voluntary HIV testing with counselling in a rural village in Kagera, Tanzania. AIDS Care 1998; 16(4): 431-439.

Dean AG, Burton AH and Dicker RC. Epi Info Version 6. A word processing, dtatbase and statistics program for epidemiology on microcomputers, USD Incorporated, Stone Mountain, Georgia, 1999.

Vanghese B, Peterman T and Holtgrave D. Cost-effectiveness of counselling and testing and partner notification: a decision analysis. AIDS 1999; 14: 1745-51.

Ruiz JO and Molitor F. Knowledge of treatment to reduce perinatal HIV transmission and likelihood of testing for HIV: results from two surveys of women of childbearing age. Mater Child Health J 1998; 2(2): 117-122.

Killewo JZ, Kwesigabo G, Comoro C, Lugalla J, Mhalu FS, Biberfield G, Wall S and Sandstrom A. Acceptability of voluntary HIV testing with counselling in a rural village in Kagera, Tanzania. AIDS Care 1998; 16(4): 431-439.

Gibney L, Wade S, Madzire S and Mbiziro M. HIV testing practices of Zimbabwean physicians and their perspectives on the future use of rapid-on-site tests. AIDS Care 1999; 11(6): 663-673.

Joo E, Carmack A, Garcia Bunuel E and Kelly CJ. Implementation of guidelines for HIV counselling and voluntary HIV testing of pregnant women. Am J Pub Health 2000; 90(2): 273-276.

Ekanem EE. A study of knowledge on PMTCT issues among community members in an urban area of Lagos, Nigeria. Unpublished Research Report, 2001.

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.