Abstract

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV/AIDS also known as vertical transmission is one of the major routes of transmission of HIV in children, in the world today and therefore a major public health challenge. HIV is transmitted from an HIV infected mother to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding.

Despite decades of significant advances in the prevention and management of the virus, the pandemic continues to spread as an estimated 2 million global new HIV infections (220,000 occurred in children) were recorded in 2014. With intervention, MTCT rates will drastically drop. A study in UK shows Sustained low HIV transmission rates following different combinations of interventions in this large unselected population are encouraging. Current options for treatment and delivery offered to pregnant women.

Method A missed method was used. Records were reviewed to know the prevalence and factors associated with MTCT and a cross sectional study was done to know the knowledge and associated factors among ANC attending women in some selected hospitals in the Buea health district. The date was entered using excel and analyzed using SPSS.

Objective This study is aim at determining the prevalence and factors associated with MTCT of HIV and to assess the knowledge of MTCT among pregnant women who attend ANC in some hospitals in the Buea Health District.

Results The study shows a prevalence of MTCT to be 17.8%, with factors like maternal ARV intervention and infant ARV intervention being significantly associated with the high prevalence of MTCT in HIV exposed infants.

Among 229(88.1%) antenatal care attending women who were aware of MTCT, 108(41.5%) had adequate knowledge. Age and level of Education was found to be significantly associated with knowledge on MTCT.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death of children in the world especially in sub-Saharan African countries. Almost all HIV-positive children acquire infection through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV [1]. For the last decades, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been one of the largest public health challenges especially in low—and middle— income countries (LMICs) [2].

Despite decades of sensitization and significant advances in its prevention and management, the pandemic continues to spread as an estimated 2 million global new HIV infections (220,000 occurred in children) were recorded in 2014, and there were about

36.9 million people living with HIV (PLWHIV) by the end of 2014. In contrast to earlier trends, HIV infection is now less prevalent in males with over half of infected adults being women [1,2]. Globally, 2.9 million people out of which 490000 were children died from HIV Aids in 2003 and according to United Nations programs, 2.1 million children below 15years are living with HIV AIDS [3]

The prevalence rate HIV infection among exposed infants in a study in Eastern Ethiopia was 15.7%, which was comparable to its national prevalence rate of 17% [2] and to reports from similar studies in countries with resource-poor settings where the prevalence rate reported was 11%–21.8%. Based on findings from a study in South Africa, educational and awareness programs need to be developed or strengthened on health risks. Mass campaign media should provide information on the importance of PMTCT activities through the use of community radio stations, TV, newsletters, bill boards [24]

1.2 Statement of The Problem

Since the beginning of the HIV pandemic, about 90% of children with HIV have been born in Africa (UNAIDS, 2019).

Poor knowledge on prevalence and associated risk factors of MTCT have demonstrated as reasons for the increase in mother-to-child transmission.

Discussion Improving knowledge on MTCT and PMTCT of HIV among populations at higher risk of HIV infection like pregnant women is essential in implementing comprehensive HIV programs [23].

1.3 Rationale

Despite decades of investing in programs to control mother-to-child transmission of HIV, UNAIDS estimated in 2009 that 1.8 million children were living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. [4] Equally, 60% of people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa are women, mostly in the reproductive age group. Each year, approximately 1.4 women living with HIV become pregnant. Among antenatal care attendees in Sub-Saharan Africa, the proportion of women living with HIV ranges from 5% to as high as 30% and HIV among women of child bearing age is the main cause of infections among children [4],

A survey showed an HIV prevalence of 7.6% among pregnant women and with an estimated 22.1% overall rate of MTCT in Cameroon, worsened by a very low antiretroviral therapy coverage (27.4%), the number of new pediatric infections will continue to grow if appropriate measures are not taken.

In 2010, reports from the National AIDS Control Committee (NACC) of Cameroon showed that about 7,300 babies were born HIV positive due to MTCT [5]. Without intervention, about half of these infected childrenwill die before their second birthday. Hence, targeting pregnant women is important in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV [6]

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the prevalence of MTCT of HIV in exposed infants in the selected health facilities Buea Health District?
2. What are the factors associated with MTCT in exposed infants in the Buea Health District?
3. What is the level of awareness and knowledge of MTCT among pregnant women attending ANC?

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