Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among pregnant women in the Bosome Freho district in the Ashanti region of Ghana: a descriptive cross-sectional design

ABSTRACT

Introduction: the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and children has called for a higher increase in global commitment and response to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). The study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women regarding PMTCT of HIV in Bosome Freho District in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Methods: a facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in August of 2017, involving 339 pregnant women, selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured pre-tested and validated questionnaire and analysed by using Stata SE version 12.0. Logistic regression analyses were used to test associations between background factors and the knowledge, attitudes and practices at 0.05 level of significance. Results: the level of knowledge was high (77.0%), attitudes were good (71.1%), and the practice of PMTCT was high (95.9%). However, the knowledge of participants on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, the moments when HIV transmission occurs, and the merits of elective caesarean sections as an HIV preventive method were grossly insufficient. Knowledge was influenced by the level of education (AOR=19 (95% CI 1.08-333.82); p=0.04); Attitudes were influenced by the level of knowledge regarding PMTCT (AOR=5.3 (95% CI 2.76-10.35); p<0.001). Conclusion: interventions to improve the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding PMTCT should focus more on women with less than Senior High School (SHS) level of education. Exclusive breastfeeding and elective caesarean sections, though effective in reducing transmission of HIV from the mother to the child, could be missed opportunities in reducing the burden of HIV in this community