KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF HIV SCREENING AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CENTRE IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The study assessed the level of knowledge of HIV screening, ascertained the practice of HIV

screening and determined the factors affecting pregnant women's practice of HIV screening in a

public health centre in Anambra State. The study adopted a descriptive survey study. Census

sampling technique was used to draw 96 pregnant women that participated in the study.

Questionnaire validated by experts was utilized for the data collection. Data collected were

analyzed using simple frequency, percentages and mean. Findings of the study showed that

33.3% (32) agreed that HIV screening should be a routine part of prenatal care, 41.7% (40)

thinks it shouldn't be while 25.0 (24) were not sure if it should be. 37.5% (36) agreed that it is

necessary to know one’s status during pregnancy while 62.5% (60) thinks that it is not necessary.

33.3% (32) were screened during this pregnancy while 66.7% (64) were not. 21.9% (21)

reported that they were aware of the treatment available for HIV positive pregnant women while

78.1% (75) said they were not. The findings of this study further revealed that the knowledge

and practice towards HIV screening among pregnant women in Abagana health centre were

poor and that factors such as availability of HIV test services, support from partner, family and

community and improvement of maternal and child outcomes affects pregnant women's practice.

It was recommended among others that that health workers should enhance pregnant women's

education and counseling, by providing a comprehensive education to pregnant women about

the importance of HIVscreening to improve the knowledge and practice of HIVscreening among

pregnant women.