Willingness of ante-natal mothers to uptake elimination of mother to child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV services in Gulu regional referral hospital, Gulu district

Abstract

Introduction Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV accounts for 14% of all new HIV infections worldwide (UNAIDS 2010). An estimated 3.2 million children were living with HIV at the end of 2013 mostly in sub-Saharan Africa (WHO 2014), while in Uganda, MTCT accounted for more than 20% of all HIV transmission (MoH 2012). With efficacious interventions the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission can be reduced to 2% (WHO 2014). Research questions The research questions were based on willingness, factors affecting willing, actual uptake, and factors affecting actual uptake of ANC mothers to uptake eMTCT services in GRRH. Methods The study was a cross sectional which employed mixed methods approach majorly quantitative study with a minor qualitative part. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 227 willing pregnant mothers, who attended ANC services in GRRH. Results The research findings showed an over whelming positive responses of ANC mothers willing to undergo HCT with a proportion of 223 (98.2%), and 227 (100%) willing to be enrolled for eMTCT services if found HIV positive, while 226 (99.6%) were willing to be retained in eMTCT services. There were no significant factors affecting willingness as the majority of the ANC mothers did not need the permission from their spouses to attend ANC and were not affected by their spouses of not getting involved in eMTCT/ANC services though they showed importance of male involvement. Out of the 227 ANC mothers interviewed, 57 (25.1%) were HIV positive and on ART, while 170 (74.9%) were HIV negative