Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management

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    Why despite the curriculum (life skills/orientation) offered by the department of education in schools, teenagers in Mthatha dictrict of the Eastern Cape continue to contract and die from HIV/AIDS, continue to be vulnerable to STIs and teenage girls continue to fall pregnant
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-03) Mcutshenge, Nomna Nombulelo Pheolla; Du Toit, J. B.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background Voluntary counselling and testing in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) has an important role to play in Lesotho‟s response to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic among women of childbearing age. In fact, the cornerstone of a successful PMTCT programme is a high level of HIV testing among pregnant women in order to identify who are positive and at risk of transmitting the virus to their babies. For effective PMTCT, there is a need to integrate voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) into antenatal care and maternity care, rather than providing it through a separate VCT unit. There is also a need to understand that counselling and HIV testing must be confidential and voluntary, and the qualities of these services have a high impact on the uptake of voluntary counselling and testing services. Aim This study is aimed at establishing the current knowledge of PMTCT among pregnant women who attend counselling in order to improve counselling services and transmission of HIV among them during pregnancy at Mabote Clinic, Tsepong in Lesotho. Method A well-structured questionnaire was administered to thirty (30) women registering for the first time for antenatal care. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts. The first part was to determine the bio-data and socio-economic status of the women, the second to explore their general knowledge of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) while the last part was knowledge of counselling. The study was conducted between 22nd August and September 30, 2011 and the sample, consisted of 30 women aged between 18 and 49 years. Results It was found out that the majority of the women were married (60%) and 50% were aged between 21-30 years. The majority (87%) have heard about prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) but only 10% knew that the HIV could be transmitted through other ways. About 87% of them knew that HIV could be transmitted through sexual intercourse; also 83% of them knew that the virus could be transmitted from the infected pregnant mother to unborn child. The knowledge on mother to child transmission was high; as only 77% knew that HIV could be transmitted during breastfeeding, 70% knew that HIV could be transmitted during pregnancy while 60% knew that the virus could be transmitted during delivery through the vagina. Knowledge of drugs to prevent transmission was also found to be on the high side. Conclusion It can be concluded that a high percentage of women had heard of the PMTCT and there was an in-depth knowledge of the modes of transmission especially mother to child transmission. Willingness to undertake an HIV test was mainly for the protection of the baby. It is therefore recommended that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare should develop guidelines on PMTCT for pregnant women and create more VCT centres. Generally, there should be more education on HIV/AIDS for the public and also it should form part of the school curriculum.