Factors influencing prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) outcomes in the Rundu District of Namibia

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: In Namibia, according to the National Sentinel Serosurvey 2012, the HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic has increased from 4.2% in 1992 to 18.2% in 2012. A high HIV prevalence in women of reproductive age thus exists in Namibia and as a result the risk of vertical transmission of HIV from infected mothers to their new born is also high. Without any interventions, about 20-45% of exposed children will be infected with HIV. With an effective Prevention of Mother to Child Prevention (PMTCT) programme, the risk can be reduced to as little as 2%. Despite the international and national efforts to try to implement such interventions, some gaps and barriers still exist in many sub-Saharan Africa countries, including Namibia, posing a challenge to PMTCT programme roll out. This study attempts to identify these gaps and barriers in the Rundu district of Namibia, which has an HIV prevalence of 24.5%.Methodology: A qualitative study was done using the face to face interviews. The target population consisted of health care workers providing PMTCT and ART services at selected health facilities in the Rundu district.Findings and Recommendation: The study participants were very experienced in delivering PMTCT services and the majority has been working on the programme for more than five years. Some of the challenges identified include home deliveries, lack of male involvement and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and formula feeding. The main reasons associated with these challenges include lack of knowledge, cultural beliefs as well as poverty. Respondents also felt there is a lack of staff to attend to the high patient load experienced at their health facilities and that current staff should be re-trained more often. It was recommended that PMTCT programme strategies should be improved by putting measures in place to increase awareness around HIV/AIDS and PMTCT issues identified in this study.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University