Knowledge and utilization of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hiv services among pregnant women in tanzania

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection among children is mainly vectored through mother-to-child-transmission. Prevention of mother-to-child-transmission strategy is highly effective; however, its accessibility and utilization are affected by the lack of knowledge among other factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among antenatal care attendees in two districts in Tanzania to determine their knowledge and utilization of prevention of MTCT services. Results: We interviewed 160 antenatal care attendees aged 18-45 years with a mean (SD) age of 30.4 (6.3) years; 74 (46.2 %) were HIV-infected. HIV-infected women demonstrated significantly correct knowledge of HIV (p=0.001) and AIDS (p=0.014) than uninfected individuals. HIV-infected women also significantly demonstrated correct knowledge of mother-to-child-transmission during pregnancy than HIV-uninfected women (p=0.016) and during delivery (p=0.005). A significant proportion of HIV-positive women compared to HIV-negative women were aware that correct use of antiretroviral during pregnancy can reduce the risk of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (p<0.039), but only 6 (3.75%) of all women were aware that correct use of antiretroviral during delivery can significantly reduce the risk of mother-to-child-transmission. HIV-infected women had a significant comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS (p=0.001) and prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (p=0.006) than HIV-negative women. Comprehensive knowledge prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV was low among the study participants. Male partner’s involvement in maternal antenatal care was significantly higher among HIV-infected women than males from the HIV-infected women group (p<0.006). Conclusion: This study demonstrated inadequate knowledge on PMTCT among women who made ANC visits. HIV uninfected women had poorer knowledge compared to the HIV infected ones. Routine HIV counseling and testing services were highly accepted among these women.