Knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV as a predictor of HIV testing in some women of childbearing age in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria accounts for 30 % of cases of mother to child transmission of HIV (MTCT) globally. HIV testing is the entry point for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). This study examined knowledge of MTCT as a predictor of HIV testing in women of childbearing age. Logistic regression was performed on 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data using SPSS V27. This study showed that knowledge of PMTCT (AOR = 2.33, 95 % CI 2.12 – 2.56), knowledge of MTCT during delivery (AOR =1.14, 1.25 – 1.59), and knowledge of MTCT during breastfeeding (AOR = 1.38, CI 1.16 – 1.65) were to be predictors of HIV testing. The result suggests a need to educate women of childbearing age on all the modes of transmission with its prevention to enhance HIV testing and eliminate MTCT.