A study on cognizance of vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary care hospital, Chennai
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20160422Keywords:
Knowledge, HIV, Vertical transmission, Women empowermentAbstract
Background: The prevalence of HIV infection among pregnant women in India is coming down and current prevalence is around 0.7%, but still India is one of the top ten countries with high prevalence of HIV among pregnant women and third largest country in HIV epidemic. Therefore the objective of the current study is to evaluate the cognizance of HIV/AIDS and its vertical transmission among pregnant women.
Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 175 pregnant women of age 15-45 years attending antenatal clinic in Obstetrics department at SRMC&RI, Chennai for a period of 1 month by systematic random sampling method.
Results: The level of awareness among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at SRMC&RI, was high (97.7%) and main source of information was television (84%).The knowledge on routes of transmission through sexual intercourse was (95%), blood transfusion was (88%), through infected needles was (87.42%), through vertical transmission was (84%).Around 84% of pregnant women had knowledge that HIV can be transmitted through vertical transmission. About 92.6% of pregnant women are aware that HIV is preventable. All respondents, who were educated above high school, were aware of HIV.
Conclusions:This study explains that overall level of awareness among pregnant women on HIV/AIDS was high. Still there is a need to increase the cognizance of HIV/AIDS and its vertical transmission among pregnant women who were less educated and belonging to low socio-economic class. This can be achieved by strengthening IEC activities (Information, Education, and Communication), encouraging female education and promoting women empowerment.
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