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Abstract
Determinants of voluntary counseling and HIV testing among pregnant women in Adama Town
Addisu C.1
Objectives: To explore and describe factors affecting readiness for and acceptability of voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT) by pregnant women for subsequent utilization of PMTCT services in Adama Town.
Methods: Guided by the conceptual framework of the Health Belief Model, a cross-sectional community based survey was conducted. In the study a total of 500 pregnant women, were identified through household visits. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data.
Results: Constructs derived from the Health Belief Model explained that 58.9% of women are willing to accept VCT. Past VCT experience, willingness to take PMTCT service and partner´s willingness or involvement in the process have all shown to be associated with willingness to accept VCT. The majority of pregnant women had good knowledge on the modes of HIV transmission (74.2%) and on MTCT of HIV (71.6%) respectively. Some misconceptions related to HIV transmission were also reported in the study and the majority of the pregnant women (73%) perceived themselves as not susceptible to HIV/AIDS. More than half (55.6%) have already tested for HIV and nearly 68.6% have knowledge about the PMTCT programme. The reasons for VCT were, pregnancy, marriage and to know status so as to prolong their life by taking ARV´s.
Conclusions: The findings from this study showed that women’s intention to accept VCT is quite encouraging to increase PMTCT uptake. There is an indication that women’s acceptance of HIV testing seemed to depend on their past VCT experience, intention to benefit from PMTCT service and partners willingness to be part of the VCT testing process. Therefore, improving the accessibility and affordability of ARVs to HIV positive pregnant women, and encouraging couples through counseling could significantly increase the up take of the VCT services.
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention
Abstract no.
CDC004
Suggested Citation
" Addisu C.
Determinants of voluntary counseling and HIV testing among pregnant women in Adama Town.
:
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention:
Abstract no.
CDC004"
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