Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women in Rural Nigeria to Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection/Acquired Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS)

Abstract

Background: It is not immediately clear if awareness campaigns against the HIV/AIDS have filtered down the rural communities.
Methods: This study ascertained awareness and attitude of pregnant women in rural Nigeria to voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), for Human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Results: Six hundred expectant mothers who consented were interviewed using semi structured questionnaire in a cross sectional study that spanned six months in eight rural communities of Ebonyi State. Five hundred and two women (82.3%) have heard of HIV/AIDS. The churches were the primary source of information. Prior to the interview, only thirty-one expectant mothers have heard of VCT. However, after education, 66.3% and 57.0% respectively believed it would be of benefit to their babies and themselves and 69.8% would want to have VCT for Human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Conclusion: There is need for more organized health education on HIV/AIDS among pregnant women in the rural communities to increase uptake of VCT services.

Keywords: Knowledge, AIDS, prevention, counseling, testing, rural Nigeria.

Nigerian Medical Journal Vol. 48 (2) 2007: pp. 27-30