Pages: 15-24

Abstract

Introduction: Nigeria still accounts for 210,000 new HIV infection annually and two-third of all new infection in West and Central Africa. In 2017 alone, Nigeria accounted for half of all children and adolescents living with HIV in the region. Objective: The study was carried out to assess knowledge and practice of prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS among antenatal attendees at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State Nigeria. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for the study and simple random sampling technique was used to select 165 ANC attendees to participate in the study. Quantitative data was collected using a semi-questionnaire which was self-administered to the respondents after ascertaining its reliability and validity. The data elicited from the respondents were subjected to descriptive statistics and results were presented in frequency tables and chart. Chi-square was used to test for association between variables at 0.05 alpha level. Results: The results showed that 65 (39.4%) had good knowledge of PMTCT while 100 (60.6%) exhibited poor knowledge. With regards to practice of PMTCT, 115 (69.7%) of the women indicated that they practice PMTCT while 50 (30.3%) do not practice PMTCT. It was also observed that age (χ²= 30.04; p= .000), education (χ²= 11.66; p= .000) and knowledge of PMTCT age (χ²= 3.094; p= .000) were statistically significantly associated with practice of PMTCT of HIV/AIDS among ANC attendees. Conclusion: PMTCT should be an inclusive component of maternal education and prioritised during antenatal clinic. This approach will boost knowledge level on PMTCT and as well continually and consistently increase the uptake of PMTCT especially among HIV positive mothers.