The Impact of Health Education on the Awareness and Acceptability of Strategies for Preventing Mother to Child Transmission of HIV in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND:  Majority of Paediatric HIV/AIDS are from infected mothers and adequate prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV is a critical factor in the control of paediatric HIV/AIDS. Success of PMTCT strategies will require a high level of acceptability of these strategies by pregnant women.
METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study of the impact of health education on the awareness of strategies for PMTCT was undertaken using interviewer administered questionnaire on antenatal women recruited from three health institutions in Enugu.
RESULTS:  A total of 150 antenatal clients were studied.  Their mean age was 29.9 + 4.0.  Ninety four point seven percent (94.7%) were married and 60% of them had post secondary education.  There was high level of awareness and acceptability of PMTCT measures amongst the respondents.  Out of the 150 respondents, 123 (82.0%) identified correctly the meaning of HIV, 140 (93.3%) were aware it can affect the newborn, 105 (75%) knew how it is transmitted and 135 (90.0%) had awareness that we can prevent mother to child transmission of HIV.  130 (86.6%) of the respondents would accept some measures for PMTCT.  Awareness that HIV can affect new born increased from 140 (93.3%) to 145 (96.7%) following health education while those who would accept PMTCT measures increased from 130(86.6%) to 146 (97.3%).  These increases were statistically significant (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:  Health education has a positive and significant impact on the awareness and acceptability of Prevention of Mother to Child transmission of HIV amongst antenatal clients in Enugu.

KEYWORDS:  Health education, mother to child transmission, HIV, Enugu.