Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of pregnant women on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in community health centers in the urban commune of Koulikoro, Mali

Abstract

Introduction: Preventing mother-to-child transmission of the virus is the main challenge for women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) during the period of childbearing. Goal: To study the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of pregnant women on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Material and Methods: We carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective collection from April 26 to July 26, 2021 in community health centers in the urban commune of Koulikoro. All pregnant women consulted in these centers who agreed to participate in this study were included. Results: In 3 months, 136 pregnant women agreed to participate in this study. They were housewives (67.7%), aged between 25 and 34 (45.6%), paucigest (42.7%), educated with a secondary level (39.8%) and primary (36.7%). Vertical transmission was only known by 3.7% of women and 12% were unaware of any means of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Over 2/3 of the patients who had received counseling had tested for HIV during this pregnancy, but 24.2% were not in favor of sharing HIV status with their partner if they were positive. Conclusion: The knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of pregnant women in Koulikoro community health centers about HIV are low. Eliminating vertical transmission of HIV requires the continued education of pregnant women on the means of transmission and prevention of this disease.