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Knowledge, attitudes and practices of women regarding the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme at the Vanguard Community Health Centre, Western Cape – a pilot Study
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Petrie, K. E., Schmidt, S. D., Schwarz, C. E., Koornhof, H. E. and Marais, Debbi (2007) Knowledge, attitudes and practices of women regarding the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme at the Vanguard Community Health Centre, Western Cape – a pilot Study. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 20 (2). pp. 71-75. ISSN 1607-0658.
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Abstract
Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of women regarding the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme at a community health centre (CHC).
Method. A descriptive study was conducted using an administered, structured questionnaire.
Subjects and setting. Thirty-six educated women aged 18 - 39 years and attending the clinic took part. Participants were from informal settlements and mostly unemployed, receiving government grants.
Results. The majority (88.9%) scored 80% or more with regard to general HIV knowledge. Although the majority (78%) were formula feeding, primarily owing to their HIV status and convenience while working, 24% would not be able to sustain this feeding method after the initial 6 months' free supply provided by the provincial health services. The majority could not define the terms exclusive breastfeeding (89%), mixed feeding (81%) or
cup feeding (94%) correctly. Attitudes were found to be positive with regard to both breastfeeding and formula feeding, but HIV status influenced it significantly (p < 0.1).
Conclusion. In conclusion, certain aspects of the PMTCT programme appear to have been effective at the CHC included in this study. The women were knowledgeable about HIV transmission and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), but they were uninformed about certain essential aspects, i.e. prevention, cure and infant feeding.
Attitudes were similar towards breastmilk or formula milk as a feeding choice but were influenced by HIV status. It was indicated that an informed decision-making process was not followed, rather that the women were advised to formula feed. Sustainability of formula feeding after 6 months and training of health workers specifically
regarding feeding options need to be addressed.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > ( - July 2016) Health Education Hub Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School |
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Journal or Publication Title: | South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition | ||||
Publisher: | Medpharm Publications (Pty) Ltd | ||||
ISSN: | 1607-0658 | ||||
Official Date: | 2007 | ||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 20 | ||||
Number: | 2 | ||||
Page Range: | pp. 71-75 | ||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) |
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