Health Workers’ Practice of Preventing Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Health workers have an important role to play in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This study assessed health workers’ practice of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria in conformity with the national guidelines. Methodology: The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Health workers providing services for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Benin City, Edo State were recruited from seven health facilities. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires between July 2011 and October 2011. Results: The respondents comprised 270 health 88 males (32.6%) and 182 females (67.4%). 41.5% of health workers reported good practice of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The respondents identified several challenges of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV including heavy work load, irregular supply of HIV test kits and insufficient male involvement in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Conclusion: The proportion of health workers with good, fair and poor practice of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV was 41.5%, 45.9% and 12.6%. The health workers identified several challenges during the course of the study. Addressing these challenges is crucial to achieving the goal of reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.