Nacer N, Ouzennou N, El Fatimi N, Rkha S. Knowledge and Attitudes about Mother-to-Child Transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in a Context of Social Vulnerability: The Case of the Province of Essaouira, Morocco.
Ethiop J Health Sci 2023;
33:403-412. [PMID:
37576180 PMCID:
PMC10416339 DOI:
10.4314/ejhs.v33i3.3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Despite health education efforts, pregnant women still face major health problems.The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women on measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus in a context of social vulnerability.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional survey of 384 pregnant women randomly selected from the 20 health districts in the province of Essaouira. This study was carried out from January 2022 to June 2022. A questionnaire was used, and bivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women about mother-to-child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus.
Results
Low knowledge (75.8%) and negative attitudes (72.7%) about preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV were observed in study participants. The knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women about the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV varied by education level, number of children, and source of information. There was a very significant correlation between knowledge and attitude (p=0.000).
Conclusion
A significant number of pregnant women have incomplete knowledge and attitudes about preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Actions to increase the knowledge of pregnant women are essential. The capacity of healthcare providers should also be strengthened to improve the quality of care.
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