Knowledge, Attitude and Utilisation of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS among Women of Child Bearing Age in Kasubi Parish, Rubaga Division

Abstract

This report presents a full account of the study carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude and utilisation of Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS among women of child-bearing age in Kasubi parish. The report comprises of five chapters, namely; introduction, literature review, methodology, results and finally discussions, conclusion and recommendations. The main objectives of the study were to determine the proportion of women who are aware of MTCT and PMTCT, to study respondents’’ attitude and utilisation of PMTCT services. The study also examined the sources through which that information is obtained and what women know about MTCT and PMTCT. In order to achieve the above objectives a well structured questionnaire was administered to the population of interest and the data obtained was analysed using ms-excel and stata using univariate and bivariate data analysis tools of frequency tables and cross tabulations. The most commonly known methods of preventing MTCT of HIV were delivering from a health facility and modified infant feeding. The most common sources of information about MTCT and PMTCT were mass media and schools. Evidence on education shows that majority of respondents had attained degree level of education. Also majority of the respondents were Roman Catholics and most of them were never married. In all cases, education level has remained a single major factor that influences knowledge, attitude and utilisation of PMTCT in the study area. Other factors that were found to influence knowledge, attitude and utilisation of PMTCT methods were marital status and religion. Age showed no significant relationship with regards to PMTCT knowledge, attitude and utilisation. The positive results of this study are that women of child-bearing age are knowledgeable about PMTCT methods, but unfortunately most of them have a poor attitude towards PMTCT. However, since the level of education remains the major influence in the use of PMTCT services, it is hoped that levels of PMTCT will increase soon as education continues to increase and in the long run, new HIV infections resulting from MTCT will decline.