Pregnant women’s attitudes towards the prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme

Date
2009-03
Authors
Mtshali, Nompumelelo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
This research paper has been developed in order to find the reasons for negative attitudes towards the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Programme by pregnant women. Although the advantages for PMTCT Programme are clear on the HIV Positive women; there are still very few pregnant women who enrol to the programme. The benefits for the Programme include the treatment of opportunistic infections, antiretroviral treatment such as nevirapine which benefits the mother and the baby, psychological support and the prevention of mother- to- child transmission of HIV infection. Most Ante Natal Care (ANC) clinics offer Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) and PMTCT Programmes but enrolment to these programmes remains poor, the reasons for such poor enrolment being not known. Health organizations need to work very hard towards ensuring that most or all pregnant women know their HIV status in order to decrease the number of babies that are born HIV positive. This study was conducted at Thabani Magwaza (Hambanathi) Clinic which is situated at Hambanathi Township (next to Tongaat) in the Province of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. The information was obtained voluntarily from the ANC clients who attend the service at Hambanathi Clinic. The focus was on 30 women, 15 who are 15 to 20 years old and 15 who are 21 to 25 years old. The data was gathered through the use of interview schedules. The data gathered was about personal details, health care workers, baby‘s financial support, understanding of PMTCT, feeding options, family planning, HIV/AIDS, attitude of the client, client‘s support from the community and characteristics. The information gathered was compared and analyzed. The data analysis has shown that poor literacy, poverty and poor support from the communities are the reasons for negative attitudes towards PMTCT Programme.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology
Citation