Awareness, attitudes and perceptions regarding HIV and PMTCT amongst pregnant women in Guinea-Bissau– a qualitative study

BMC Women's Health

Research Article

Noel Vieira¹  Aureliano Gomes²  Inês Oliveira²  Christian Wejse³  Dlama Nggida Rasmussen⁴  Morten Sodemann⁴  Holger W. Unger⁵  Peter Aaby⁶  Lucy Reynolds⁷ 

[1] Association Ceu e Terras, Avenida do Brasil n. 7, Apartado 1257, 1031, Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau;Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network, Apartado 861, 1004, Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau;Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network, Apartado 861, 1004, Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau;Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200, Aarhus, Denmark;Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network, Apartado 861, 1004, Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau;Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000, Odense, Denmark;Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network, Apartado 861, 1004, Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau;Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, Edinburgh, UK;Department of Medicine at the Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Post Office Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, 3050, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network, Apartado 861, 1004, Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau;Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300, Copenhagen, Denmark;London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, UK;

关键词: HIV;    PMTCT;    Knowledge;    Awareness;    Barriers;    Guinea-Bissau;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12905-017-0427-6

 received in 2015-12-10, accepted in 2017-08-18,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major cause of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) strategies have proven effective in decreasing the number of children infected in utero, intrapartum and during the breastfeeding period. This qualitative study explores knowledge and perceptions of HIV amongst pregnant women, healthcare workers’ experiences of the national PMTCT services, and barriers to PMTCT, during a period of programme scale-up in urban Guinea-Bissau (2010–11).MethodsIn-depth interviews were undertaken amongst 27 women and 19 key informants at local antenatal clinics and the national maternity ward in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.ResultsAmongst women who had been tested for HIV, awareness and knowledge of HIV and PMTCT remained low. Testing without informed consent was reported in some cases, in particular when the test was performed around the time of delivery. Possible drivers of inadequate counselling included lack of confidentiality, suboptimal healthcare worker training, lack of time, and perceived occupational risk. Demand-side barriers to PMTCT included lack of HIV and PMTCT knowledge, customary and cultural beliefs associated with HIV and ill-health, HIV stigma and discrimination, and fear of partnership dissolution.ConclusionsSocio-cultural and operational challenges, including HIV testing without informed consent, present significant barriers to the scale-up of PMTCT services in Bissau. Strengthening local capacity for effective counselling and testing in the antenatal setting is paramount. Further research into local customary beliefs relating to HIV is warranted.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017