Knowledge and coverage of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) in Eritrea

Abstract

Objective: To explore the level of knowledge on prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in both men 15-54 years and women 15-49 years of age.
Methods: A community-based survey was conducted in October-November 2005 in 45 sub zones of Eritrea.
Data were collected using the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) method.
Results: Although 81.8% of men 15-54 and 75.5% of women 15-49 years of age know that HIV can be transmitted from mother to the child, only 33.7 % of men and 26% of women know that the risk of transmission can be reduced. The result varies across zones and various socio-demographic characteristics.
Conclusion: Although there is high awareness on the risk of HIV transmission from the mother to the child,
the knowledge that the risk can be reduced is very low and extensive education for both men and women is
recommended