Adherence, perceptions and knowledge of an HIV PMTCT programme : a mother-baby pair study
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Date
Authors
Mabuka, Sthembiso
Lowane, Mygirl P.
Nesengani, Tintswalo Victoria
Simbeni, Thembi V.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS
Abstract
BACKGROUND : Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programmes are designed
to prevent HIV transmission to infants and children. Despite efforts to achieve this goal,
several factors continue to pose challenges.
OBJECTIVES : To investigate the level of adherence, perceptions, knowledge, and factors
associated with adherence to the PMTCT programme in primary healthcare facilities.
METHOD : A descriptive cross-sectional study design and quantitative research approach was
used, and clinical records were reviewed to determine the prevalence of seroconverted babies
of mothers enrolled in a PMTCT programme for the past 2 years in the community healthcare
centres. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.
RESULTS : A total of 341 mother-baby pairs were recruited and took part in the study. Most
women (263; 77%), perceived that a pregnant woman living with HIV can transmit the virus to
her unborn baby. The following factors were independently associated with non-adherence:
being unmarried, the period of maternal HIV diagnosis and initiation on antiretroviral therapy,
unsuppressed viral load results, missed clinic appointments, side effects, and getting tired of
taking HIV medication.
CONCLUSION : This study investigated adherence to and perceptions of all components of the
PMTCT programme by pregnant and breastfeeding women in primary healthcare facilities.
Despite the significant progress made, maternal and paediatric HIV pandemic pose a challenge
to the PMTCT services. There is a need for follow-up research to monitor the ongoing adherence
to the PMTCT programme and its long-term impact in reducing the rate of transmission of
HIV in mothers.
Description
DATA AVAILABILITY : The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of
this study are available within the article. The data sets used
and analysed during this study are available from the
corresponding author, M.P.L., on reasonable request.
Keywords
Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV transmission, Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), Adherence, Perceptions, HIV-positive women, Knowledge, Mother-baby pairs, PMTCT programme, Seroconversion, SDG-03: Good health and well-being
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-being
Citation
Mabuka, S., Lowane, M.P., Nesengani, T.V. & Simbeni, T.V. Adherence, perceptions and knowledge of an HIV PMTCT programme: A mother-baby pair study. Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine 2025;26(1), a1648. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v26i1.1648.