Abstract:

Background: There has been increasing public outcry following the frequency of children infected with HIV/AIDS, despite measures on the ground to prevent the occurrences. It is also not uncommon to find infants infected with the infection. The study focusses on the impact of prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS in General Hospital, Bajoga, Gombe State, Nigeria.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among fifty women attending the study area, who gave written consent. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception and opinion on prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS was collected, using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: The average age group was 20-25 years (60%). Majority 35 (70%) of participants had heard about prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child. 1 (2%) have not heard. Greater number 45 (90%) of respondent had HIV negative children, with 5 (10%) had positive children. 45 (90%) respondent believed that transmition from mother to child results from unskilled birth attendants during delivery. Majority 39 (78%) thinks that protected sexual intercourse can prevent transmition. Greater number 50 (100%) are of the opinion that counselling will help greatly in preventing the mother to child transmition of HIV/AIDS. There was no significant association between socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception and opinion of the participants.

Conclusion: There is need for continuing education and counselling of the public on prevention of mother to child transmition of HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: Impact, prevention, transmition, mother, child, HIV/AIDS.

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