BACKGROUND: Mother to child transmission accounts for the majority of HIV infections in children in the developing countries. This study assessed pregnant women's knowledge of HIV/AIDS, awareness and attitudes towards Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) in a teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. METHODS: A pre-tested structured interview questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 210 antenatal clients in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. RESULTS: All respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS. Fifty seven percent had good knowledge, 32% had fair knowledge and the remaining 11% had poor knowledge of the infection. Most respondents were aware of VCT through health workers, mass media and friends. Similarly, most respondents (81.0%) approved of VCT, 13.0% disapproved of it and the remaining (6%) was undecided. The main reasons for disapproval were; fear of stigmatisation, isolation and effect on marriage security. Those that had tertiary level of education were three times more likely to accept VCT compared to those with lower levels of education (O.R=3.2, 95% confidence interval =1.3-8.0). CONCLUSIONS: Although the awareness of VCT for HIV was quite high with most antenatal clients harbouring positive attitudes towards it, there is a need to intensify health education to convince the remaining minority who are still sceptical or ignorant of the benefits of VCT.
BACKGROUND: Mother to child transmission accounts for the majority of HIV infections in children in the developing countries. This study assessed pregnant women's knowledge of HIV/AIDS, awareness and attitudes towards Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) in a teaching hospital in northern Nigeria. METHODS: A pre-tested structured interview questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 210 antenatal clients in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. RESULTS: All respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS. Fifty seven percent had good knowledge, 32% had fair knowledge and the remaining 11% had poor knowledge of the infection. Most respondents were aware of VCT through health workers, mass media and friends. Similarly, most respondents (81.0%) approved of VCT, 13.0% disapproved of it and the remaining (6%) was undecided. The main reasons for disapproval were; fear of stigmatisation, isolation and effect on marriage security. Those that had tertiary level of education were three times more likely to accept VCT compared to those with lower levels of education (O.R=3.2, 95% confidence interval =1.3-8.0). CONCLUSIONS: Although the awareness of VCT for HIV was quite high with most antenatal clients harbouring positive attitudes towards it, there is a need to intensify health education to convince the remaining minority who are still sceptical or ignorant of the benefits of VCT.
Authors: Gambo Aliyu; Mukhtar Mohammad; Ahmed Saidu; Prosanta Mondal; Man Charurat; Alash'le Abimiku; Abdulsalami Nasidi; William Blattner Journal: AIDS Care Date: 2010-10
Authors: Dinh-Toi Chu; Hoang-Long Vo; Dang-Khoa Tran; Hao Nguyen Si Anh; Long Bao Hoang; Phong Tran Nhu; Khanh Nguyen Ngoc; Trang Thu Nguyen; Quyet Pham Van; Nguyen Le Bao Tien; Vo Van Thanh; Vu Thi Nga; Thuy Luu Quang; Le Bui Minh; Van Huy Pham Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-09-04 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Juliet Iwelunmor; Echezona E Ezeanolue; Collins O Airhihenbuwa; Michael C Obiefune; Chinenye O Ezeanolue; Gbenga G Ogedegbe Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-07-30 Impact factor: 3.295