@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20160202.13,
  author = {Eric Osei and Williams Amankwaa Fosu and Joyce Der},
  title = {Assessing the Utilization and Implementation Challenges of Prevention of Mother-to-Child-Transmission of HIV Programme in a Secondary Care Hospital, Ghana},
  journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {2},
  number = {2},
  pages = {57-65},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20160202.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20160202.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20160202.13},
  abstract = {Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV continues to be a major public health problem and accounts for a considerable share of new HIV infections among young children. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) has been recognised as vital to reducing infant and child mortality associated with HIV infection. This study assessed the utilization and implementation challenges of PMTCT of HIV programme in a secondary care hospital in Ghana. Methods: We conducted an institution based cross-sectional survey in April 2015 using exit interviews with 135 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) clinic of Bolgatanga Regional hospital of Upper East Region, Ghana. Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about MTCT of HIV, and HIV counselling and testing practice. Six in-depth interviews with service providers were conducted to assess PMTCT programme implementation challenges. Antenatal and PMTCT records were reviewed to evaluate PMTCT utilization. Stata version 11 was used to analyse quantitative data. Chi-square test was performed to test for differences between proportions for the cross tabulated variables. Level of significance was set at pResults: Fifty-six (41.5%) of participants made up to four or more ANC visits. The majority (62; 45.9%) were in the third trimester of gestation, 75 (56%) were primigravida and 12 (9%) ever had four or more pregnancies. About 96% (129) visited the health facility for ANC check-up. Only 3 (2.2%) visited the health facility for HIV counselling and testing. The majority (112; 83%) were aware of the PMTCT programme though, 12 (11%) of them were not aware of its benefits. Almost all (134; 99.3%) of them reported that they were tested for HIV in the current pregnancy, and 131 (97%) of them reported adequacy of privacy and confidentiality during counselling. Of the 1,283 pregnant women registered between January and December, 2013, 1,282 (99.9%) were tested for HIV. CD4 cell count was done for 12 (85%) out of 15 women who tested HIV positive, 14 (93%) of the 15 HIV-positive women received antiretroviral prophylaxis (including infant prophylaxis). Early infant diagnosis was universal (100%) for all HIV-exposed infants. Inadequately trained personnel coupled with high workload, erratic supply of logistics and low male involvement were mentioned as barriers to PMTCT implementation. Conclusion: PMTCT of HIV service up-take and knowledge regarding MTCT and PMTCT was quite high; however efforts should be made to address the barriers to successful implementation of PMTCT interventions.},
 year = {2016}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessing the Utilization and Implementation Challenges of Prevention of Mother-to-Child-Transmission of HIV Programme in a Secondary Care Hospital, Ghana
AU  - Eric Osei
AU  - Williams Amankwaa Fosu
AU  - Joyce Der
Y1  - 2016/10/28
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20160202.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.cajph.20160202.13
T2  - Central African Journal of Public Health
JF  - Central African Journal of Public Health
JO  - Central African Journal of Public Health
SP  - 57
EP  - 65
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5781
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20160202.13
AB  - Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV continues to be a major public health problem and accounts for a considerable share of new HIV infections among young children. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) has been recognised as vital to reducing infant and child mortality associated with HIV infection. This study assessed the utilization and implementation challenges of PMTCT of HIV programme in a secondary care hospital in Ghana. Methods: We conducted an institution based cross-sectional survey in April 2015 using exit interviews with 135 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) clinic of Bolgatanga Regional hospital of Upper East Region, Ghana. Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about MTCT of HIV, and HIV counselling and testing practice. Six in-depth interviews with service providers were conducted to assess PMTCT programme implementation challenges. Antenatal and PMTCT records were reviewed to evaluate PMTCT utilization. Stata version 11 was used to analyse quantitative data. Chi-square test was performed to test for differences between proportions for the cross tabulated variables. Level of significance was set at pResults: Fifty-six (41.5%) of participants made up to four or more ANC visits. The majority (62; 45.9%) were in the third trimester of gestation, 75 (56%) were primigravida and 12 (9%) ever had four or more pregnancies. About 96% (129) visited the health facility for ANC check-up. Only 3 (2.2%) visited the health facility for HIV counselling and testing. The majority (112; 83%) were aware of the PMTCT programme though, 12 (11%) of them were not aware of its benefits. Almost all (134; 99.3%) of them reported that they were tested for HIV in the current pregnancy, and 131 (97%) of them reported adequacy of privacy and confidentiality during counselling. Of the 1,283 pregnant women registered between January and December, 2013, 1,282 (99.9%) were tested for HIV. CD4 cell count was done for 12 (85%) out of 15 women who tested HIV positive, 14 (93%) of the 15 HIV-positive women received antiretroviral prophylaxis (including infant prophylaxis). Early infant diagnosis was universal (100%) for all HIV-exposed infants. Inadequately trained personnel coupled with high workload, erratic supply of logistics and low male involvement were mentioned as barriers to PMTCT implementation. Conclusion: PMTCT of HIV service up-take and knowledge regarding MTCT and PMTCT was quite high; however efforts should be made to address the barriers to successful implementation of PMTCT interventions.
VL  - 2
IS  - 2
ER  - 

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