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©IDOSR PUBLICATIONS
International Digital Organization for Scientific Research ISSN: 2579-0811
IDOSR JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ALLIED FIELDS 8(2): 28-45, 2023.
https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JBBAF/23/10.1.72

Factors Affecting Health Workers in Implementation of EMTCT Services at

Bushenyi Health Centre IV Bushenyi District

Nabaasa Olivia

Faculty of Nursing Sciences Kampala International University Western Campus Uganda.

ABSTRACT
This study focused on factors affecting health workers in the implementation of EMTCT
services at Bushenyi Health Centre IV. The objectives of the study were, to find out the health
worker-based factors affecting health workers in the implementation of EMTCT services, to
establish maternal-based factors affecting health workers in the implementation of EMTCT
services and to assess mothers, knowledge in relation to participating in EMTCT services at
Bushenyi health centre IV. The study was carried out at Bushenyi Health centre IV which is
located in Bushenyi municipality in Bushenyi district which basically serves people from
Bushenyi district with a few others from neighbouring districts. It was descriptive and cross-
sectional in which quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were used and the
study included health workers offering EMTCT services to the mother and mothers receiving
EMTCT services who were around during the period of the study. The study found that 81.25%,
of the health workers, had ever attained an EMTCT reinforcement workshop and only
3(18.75%) had not attended any workshop of that nature since they were transferred to
Bushenyi health centre IV. The study found out that a bigger percentage of mothers at 93.75%
have knowledge on various methods in which HIV can spread from the mother to the baby
and only 6.25 percentage said she didn’t know of such ways and regarding knowledge on
importance of VCT, study found out that all the 16 mothers who took part in the study knew
that its of health importance to attend a VCT, but they didn’t have a detailed information
about how EMTCT could help a mother who is found HIV positive. In conclusion, from the
study health workers and mothers who participated in the study acknowledge that EMTCT is
an essential service to the health of the mother and the baby, but is being hindered by fore
mentioned challenges which are controllable if timely intervention is put in place. The
following are therefore recommendations made for a better EMTCT service delivery, the
government through the ministry of health should organize more workshops and short course
training on EMTCT to enable health workers to acquire knowledge of the service also the
government should sensitize people through public media to make use of EMTCT services
from health facilities, the management of Bushenyi health centre IV should make outreaches
for EMTCT services to mothers who may be able to come to the health facility quite often,
health workers should always do follow up on their EMTCT clients so as to reduce the number
of defaulters and lastly pregnant mothers should be encouraged to attend ANC services in
which those who need EMTCT services can be identified.
Keywords: EMTCT services, health workers, Pregnant mothers, HIV positive, Health facility

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INTRODUCTION
Globally about 1.4 million pregnant raised significantly. This allowed the
mothers are living with HIV in low and people living in rural areas to have access
middle countries and of these 1000 babies to EMTCT, education, counseling and
are infected every day during pregnancy, testing [10, 11, 12, 13]. HIV transmission in
birth and breastfeeding. However, it is Uganda is believed to be around 21 percent
only 26 per cent of the women have due to mother to child transmission [14,
received HIV/AIDS testing in East and 15, 16, 17]. Uganda has been implementing
Southern Africa which is most hit by the strategies for Elimination of mother to
epidemic and only half of the pregnant child transmission (EMTCT). It should be
women were tested for the virus [1, 2, 3] an noted that some of the precondition for
alternative type of testing (routine), where reducing mother to child transmission is to
women are told that HIV testing is a know that HIV can be transmission from
standard part of Antenatal care to opt-out mother to child and knowing that the use
if they want to, makes it more acceptable. of antiretroviral drugs by the mother can
UNICEF found that switching from VCT to reduce the risk of transmissions [18, 19,
routine testing dramatically improved the 20, 21]. This is applicable to Uganda and
take-up of testing in EMTCT programmes. therefore it is deemed to face serious
For example, at one hospital in rural EMTCT challenges given its high fertility
Uganda, the proportion of pregnant rate and the high prevalence of HIV among
women with documented HIV status at women of reproductive age. National HIV
discharge more than doubled from 39% to prevalence among women is 8 per cent
88% after routine testing was introduced Uganda HIV/AIDS sero prevalence survey
[4, 5, 6]. In Botswana, there has been 2004/05 and 67000 HIV infected women
successful progress in the fight against are expected to become pregnant annually.
HIV/AIDS in relation to EMTCT. She had Reducing an intended pregnancy among
some of the highest rates of HIV infection HIV-infected women by 16 per cent would
at 37 percent [7, 8, 9]. The success story in yield an equivalent reduction in HIV-
Botswana was made possible by grassroots positive infant cases as would the
efforts in making treatments and implementation of a national Prevention of
education accessible. To achieve this, the mother-to-child Transmission [18, 22, 23,
numbers of EMTCT health clinics were 24].
Statement of Problem
Worldwide, approximately 39.5 million studies indicates that in regions with a
people are living with HIV/AIDS, including high prevalence of HIV infection, the low
an estimated 17.7 million women and 2.3 levels of contraceptive use and high value
million children under the age of 15 [25, of child bearing such as Sub-Saharan
26, 27]. Women currently represent the Africa, addressing fertility issues among
population which reflects the fastest people living with HIV is critical for
increase in HIV infection rates; in the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and
hardest-hit countries of sub-Saharan prevention of HIV transmission of mother
Africa, more than 60% of all new HIV to child. Without such interventions the
infections are occurring in women, infants, problem of mother to child transmission is
and young children with 1 400 children expected to last for a long period of time
under the age of 15 being infected with HIV [35]. In East Africa approximately 90% of
every day [28, 29, 30]. In 2005 alone, an HIV infection among children is acquired
estimated 540 000 children were newly through mother to child transmission of
infected with HIV, with approximately 90% HIV (MTCT). Transmission from an HIV-
of these infections occurring in sub- positive pregnant woman to her child can
Saharan Africa [31, 32, 33]. Without occur during pregnancy, labour and
appropriate care and treatment, more than delivery, or through breastfeeding [36].
50% of newly infected children will die The risk of MTCT can be reduced to less
before their second birthday [34]. In Africa than 2% with a package of evidence-based
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interventions including ARV prophylaxis population in age group 15-49 years, this
and treatments combined with elective can also lead to increased number of
caesarean section and avoidance of children born to HIV if there is no
breastfeeding. Infant feeding patterns are treatment and it is estimated that around
a very important determinant of MTCT. For 15-30% of babies born to HIV positive
mothers using replacement feeding, there women will become infected with HIV
is obviously no transmission through during pregnancy and delivery. A further
breastfeeding [37]. Breastfeeding during a 5-20% will become infected through
period of 6 months leads to approximately breastfeeding [39]. A report by the Lot
10% extra transmission (from 20% to 30%), Quality Assurance Survey (LQAS) Bushenyi
while breastfeeding during a period of 18- district funded by USAID in 2016 indicated
24 months leads to approximately 17.5% an improvement from 57 percent in 2005
extra transmission (from 20% to 37.5%), to 71 percent in 2016 on EMTCT service
compared to no breastfeeding [38]. provision and awareness by mothers of
In Uganda the factors influencing the children under five years in Bushenyi
utilization of EMTCT for HIV/AIDS are district. Although a number of studies
limited by inadequate data, there is have been done in Uganda and Bushenyi in
underreporting especially in villages due particular about the EMTCT utilization
to poor health administration that cannot services, there is no such a study
identify mother-to-child transmission conducted to assess the factors affecting
(MTCT) as a disease. Despite this shortfall, health workers in implementation of
it is necessary to examine the utilization of EMTCT services at Bushenyi health centre
EMTCT, thus HIV/AIDS is likely to affect IV and therefore this study is intended to
adults in the reproductive age group or provide the information to bridge this gap.
distort the age structure by depleting the
Aim
To determine the factors affecting health services at Bushenyi Health Centre IV
workers in the implementation of EMTCT Bushenyi District.
Specific objectives
 To find out the health worker-based implementation of EMTCT services
factors affecting health workers in at Bushenyi health centre IV
the implementation of EMTCT  To assess mothers, knowledge in
services at Bushenyi health centre relation to participating in EMTCT
IV. services at Bushenyi health centre
 To establish maternal based factors IV.
affecting health workers in
Research questions
 What are the health workers based implementation of EMTCT services
factors affecting health workers in at Bushenyi health centre Iv?
the implementation of EMTCT  What is the mothers’ knowledge in
services at Bushenyi health centre relation to participating in EMTCT
IV? services at Bushenyi health centre
 What are the maternal based IV?
factors affecting health workers in
Justification of Study
Nursing practice, the findings of this study help tutors and students in nursing to
will help nurses learn and identify better come up with new approaches in the
approaches to encourage mothers to implementation of EMTCT services as
actively participate in EMTCT services. health workers. Nursing Research, this
This will simplify health workers task in research shall provide information that
implementation of the program. Nursing may create new knowledge for studies in
education, the finding of the study may related phenomena aimed at easing

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implementation of EMTCT services by administrators and relevant authorities to
health workers. Nursing Management, the cooperate with nursing staff in
research finding will be used by school implementation of EMTCT programs.
METHODOLOGY
Area of Study
The study was carried out at Bushenyi population census the population of
Health centre IV which is located in Bushenyi was estimated to be 251400
Bushenyi municipality in Bushenyi district. people [40]. The major economic activities
The centre basically serves people from of people served by Bushenyi health centre
Bushenyi district with a few others from IV are trade and farming. The area was
neighboring districts. Bushenyi district is chosen because it is a focal point and a
found in south western region of Uganda centre for most mothers attending EMTCT
about 300km from Kampala the capital city programs from across the district.
by road. During the 2012 Uganda
Study Design
The design was descriptive and cross used. The design was used because
sectional in which quantitative and detailed subjective data was needed to find
qualitative methods of data collection was out the factors.
Study Population
The study included health workers be around during the period of the study.
offering EMTCT services to the mother and This population gave the required
mothers receiving EMTCT services that will information for the study.
Sample size Determination
The sample size was determined using [41] size for the respondents to participate in
formula. The formula was used to estimate the study at Bushenyi Health Centre IV. It
the smallest possible categorical sample is given in an expression as;

n = z2p (1-p)
d2
Where
d = margin of error; z=standard normal p=prevalence (UDHS, 2010); n= minimum
deviation set at 95% confidential level sample size
corresponding to 1.96 Therefore, taking
p = 2.1% = 0.021; z = 1.96
1-p = 0.979; d= 5% = 0.05
Thus n = (1.96)2X0.979 X (1-0.021)
(0.05)2
n=32 respondents.
32 respondents were recruited in the
study, these were 16 health workers and 16
mothers
Sampling procedure
The study was carried out among health be considered and those who were
available and willing to participate in the
workers at Bushenyi health Centre IV and
study were considered using a simple
mothers seeking EMTCT services during
random sampling technique.
the period of study. 32 respondents were
Pre visiting before the actual study
A pre visit study was conducted prior to accustomed to the study area so as to
commence on the study immediately when
the study so as to get accustomed to the
the time reaches as stipulated in the time
study area before actual study is carried
frame without any delays.
out. This helped the researcher to get

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Pre testing of the questioner
A pre testing survey was conducted at before the actual study. Any other
KIUTH prior to study in which any errors in adjustments deemed necessary into the
the questioner were noticed and collected questioner after a pre testing study were
made with sample questioner.
Inclusion criteria
The study included health workers and the study, those that will accept to give
mothers being provided with EMTCT consent.
services who were available during time of
Exclusion criteria
Health workers who were transferred in to give consent were excluded from the
Bushenyi Health Centre IV from other study. Mothers who were ill and needed
health facilities during were excluded from urgent medical attention shall be excluded
the study. Mothers who never accepted to from the study.
Definition of variables
This includes both dependent and service while the independent variables
independent variables. The dependent were the factors affecting health workers
variable for this study was the EMTCT in provision of the service.
The dependent variable
EMTCT (Elimination of Mother to Child intended to eradicate transferring HIV
Transmission) is a set of programmes from the mother to the baby.
The independent variable
Factors affecting health workers refer to as human resource (staffing), availability
variables which have an impact directly or of resources to do follow up drug
indirectly on the health workers providing availability, it also involves maternal
EMCTC services to the mothers. These based factor and mother’s knowledge on
include health worker based factors such EMTCT service utilization.
Data collection tool/research instruments
A semi-structured questionnaire,
observing checklist and writhing materials
(pencils & pens) were used.
Data collection procedure
Data collection followed after permission every question that was paused, Responses
from the District Health Officer and the in of the participants were filled into the
charge of the health centre. Date was questionnaire by the researcher and
collected using a questionnaire. The research assistants, This method was used
questionnaire included both structured because it allowed accurate recording of
and non-structured questions, these responses from both illiterate and literate
questions were both open and closed respondents.
ended to enable respondents to exhaust
Data management
Questions in the tools (questionnaire and presentation and analysis easy. The
key informants interview guide) were pre- research instruments were checked for
coded to help the researcher to get errors and omissions in order to ensure
uniform qualified data, coding frames consistency, completeness and accuracy in
were met, facilitated by the codes given to filling the interview guide. This was done
responses given in the tool in the field before going the next the
(questionnaire). This made the process of respondent.
Data analysis and presentation
Data was analyzed manually and coding counting frequencies and computed into
frames were made for each question, percentages using a manual calculator
Respondents responses were tallied was done. The data was then presented
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using variant tables, pie-charts, line to ease the process of interpretation of
graphs, and put in representative figures findings.
Ethical considerations
The research proposal was first approved then explained the importance of the
by my supervisor before proceeding to research and its objectives to the
data collection. The researcher sought respondents. The researcher sought
permission from the research committee consent from the respondents and
after approval. The dean school of nursing requested them to participate in the
then issued out an introductory letter to interview in order to collect data from
the researcher. The introductory letter was them. The researcher ensured the
then presented to District Health Officer, respondent’s maximum confidentiality of
who then introduce the researcher to in the results. And the researcher promised
charge of Bushenyi Health Centre IV, who not to reveal any information after tallying
later introduced the researcher to the staff the questionnaire.
and mother’s respondents. The researcher
RESULTS
Demographic characteristics
Table 1; showing characteristics of nurses
Characteristics Category Frequency Percentages
Age 21 to 30 years 9 56.25
31 to 40 years 4 25.00
41 to 50 years 2 12.50
Above 50 years 1 6.25
Cadre Medical officer 2 12.50
Clinical officer 1 6.25
Nurse 11 68.75
Midwife 2 12.50

From the table 1 above, the majority years. Concerning professional cadre of
9(56.25%) health workers were between 21 health workers, the highest participants
to 30 years, 4(25.00%) were between 31 to 11(68.75%) were nurses, 2(12.50%) medical
40 years. In the same 2(12.50%) were in the officers who participated in the study,
ages of between 41 to 50 years while the 2(12.50%) were midwives the least was
lowest only one (6.25%) was above 50 1(6.25%) medical clinical officer.

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Health worker based factors affecting health workers in implementation of EMTCT services
Figure 1; showing HWs response on those who have had an EMTCT workshop training

Health workers who have had EMTCT training workshop

have never got 3(18.75%)

within a year
more than a year
have never got
more than a year 8(50%)

within a year 5(31.25%)

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
From the figure 1, above regarding the year, 8(50%) said they last attended
response of health workers on when such a training workshop in a period of
they were last called for EMTCT more than one year previously while
training workshop to update their the rest 3(18.75%) have not attended a
forms of management, 5(31.25%) of the workshop of that nature since they
health workers said they had attended were transferred to Bushenyi health
such a workshop within a period of one centre IV.

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Figure 2, showing HWs response on the challenges they face in implementing EMTCT

challenges face by health workers in effecting EMTCT

programs

Mothers who default

taking medication
2 Maternal HIV related
12.5% stigma
5
31.25%
Maternal HIV related stigma
Mothers delivering Mothers not attending ANC visits
from home
Mothers delivering from home
6 Mothers not attending
37.5% ANC visits Mothers who default taking medication
3
18.75%

Figure 2, above shows health workers had a challenge when their clients say
response on the challenges they in they forgot to take their medication
implementation of EMTCT in which and defaulted the doze and Majority of
according to HWs, 3(18.75%) said that the health workers said that mothers
mothers not attending ANC visits is a delivering from home is also a setback
hindrance to offering EMTCT, to effective delivery of EMTCT
5(31.25%) said that mothers have HIV programs.
related stigma so they don’t comply
with EMTCT guidelines. 2 (12.5%) of the
health workers said they had always

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Maternal based factors affecting health workers in implementation of EMTCT services

Figure 3, showing HWs response on maternal based factors that affect EMTCT service
delivery

maternal based factors that hinder EMTC

10
9 9(56.25%)
8
7
6
Axis Title

5
4 4(25%)
3
2 2(12.5)
1 1(6.25)
0
Mothers not knowing Mothers are too poor to mothers are ignorant mothers denial when
their HIV status afford any associated about the services found HIV positive
costs

From the figure 3, above when asked about 2(12.5%) health workers said some mothers
mother based factors that hinder EMTCT, are ignorant and have no knowledge on
9(56.25%) said that pregnant mothers don’t EMTCT services and lastly only one health
know their HIV status and this makes them worker (6.25%) noted that some mothers
reluctant to seek this service, 4(25%) said usually undergo denial stage when found
that some mothers are poor and can’t HIV positive even after thorough
afford any associated costs in seeking the counseling and this delays her being
service like transport. Furthermore initiated for the service.

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Mothers, knowledge in relation to participating in EMTCT services

Figure 4; showing mothers response on ways how HIV can be transmitted from the mother
to her baby

7(43.75%)
7
6
6(37.5%)
5
4
3
2(12.5%)
2
1
0
1(6.25)
poor cutting of
the cord Failure to take
ARVs during through breast
pregnancy feeding I don’t know

From the Figure 4 above, mother’s said mothers’ to take ARVs for those who
response on ways how HIV can be are positive increases the chances to
transmitted from the mother to her baby, transmit it to their babies during or after
out of the sixteen mothers who took part delivery, 6(37.5%) said HIV transmission
in the study, 7(43.75%) said that poor from the mother to the baby can’t during
cutting of the cord at delivery can lead to breastfeeding and one mother (6.25%) said
mother’s blood getting in contact with of she didn’t know ways on how HIV can be
the baby in which HIV transmission can transmitted from the mother to the child.
occur. More so, 2(12.5%) of the mothers

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Figure 5: showing mothers response on importance of voluntary counseling and
testing

Importance of voluntary counselling and testing

For assurance about

the life of unborn
baby, 4, 25%
Know HIV status
and live accordingly
, 8, 50%
Begin drugs early if
positive
3
18.75%

Helps in delivery
preparations
1
6.25%

The Figure 5 above shows mothers that knowing your HIV status helps to
response on importance of voluntary make delivery preparations for
counseling and testing in which 8(50%) example HIV positive mothers
the majority said it helps mothers to delivering from health facilities, the
know their HIV status and plan to live rest 3(18.75%) VCT will help mothers to
accordingly. Also to note is that 4(25%) begin early medication such that they
said it helps mothers to have assurance remain health even after delivery.
of their unborn babies, one mother said
DISCUSSION
Social demographic characteristics
Regarding demographics of health concerned. Concerning professional cadre
workers, 9(56.25%) health workers were of health workers, there were 2(12.50%)
between 21 to 30 years, 4(25.00%) were medical officers who participated in the
between 31 to 40 years, 2(12.50%) were in study, 1(6.25%) medical clinical officer,
the ages of between 41 to 50 years while 11(68.75%) were nurses and the rest
only one (6.25%) was above 50 years. These 2(12.50%) were midwives. The majority
study findings show that the majority of being nurses is not surprising because
health workers are youthful in age who mothers are first received at the nursing
have finished medical studies in recent stations before they can be guided to MCH
years so there is a need to enrich them with clinics for maternal services.
experience as far as EMTCT programs are

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Health worker based factors affecting health workers in implementation of EMTCT

services
About the response of health workers on ANC visits is a hindrance to offering
when they were last called for EMTCT EMTCT, 5(31.25%) said that mothers have
training workshop to update their forms of HIV related stigma so they don’t comply
management, 5(31.25%) of the health with EMTCT guidelines, 2(12.5%) of the
workers said they had attended such a health workers said they had always had a
workshop within a period of one year, challenge when their clients say they
8(50%) said they last attended such a forgot to take their medication and
training workshop in a period of more than defaulted the doze. Majority of the health
one year previously. The rest 3(18.75%) workers 6(37.5%) said that mothers
have not attended a workshop of that delivering from home is also a setback to
nature since they were transferred to effective delivery of EMTCT program,
Bushenyi health centre IV, EMTCT regular home deliveries are a setback to EMTCT
workshops are necessary for health service delivery because the mother and
workers because it enables them to have a the exposed baby will not be able to
current regimen as per MoH / WHO receive care and medication as per EMTC
guidelines. In comparison with other guidelines. In comparisons to other
studies done in on a related field [42], in studies, studies done by United Nations
their findings from the study done in International Children Emergency Fund in
Eastern Uganda while listening to the 2010 showed that many women attend
health workers on ways of strengthening antenatal (ANC) and also MCH clinics
the EMTCT programme – showed that many during pregnancies but still many deliver
health workers interviewed mentioned the at home and so is difficult to ensure that
need of more training on EMTCT to update drugs provided were really taken, UNICEF
their own knowledge and skills The has been analyzing the challenges in the
participants emphasized the importance prevention of Mother to child transmission
of continuous skill development and up- of HIV in Africa. Its report documented
dating of health workers on the latest some findings from Cameroon which
developments and knowledge in EMTCT showed that the ANC prevalence of HIV
and HIV/AIDS fields as vital measures for was 22% but that of the delivery room was
effectively managing EMTCT programmes. only 8.7% indicating that a large number of
The same study indicated the need for deliveries have been conducted at home
adequate numbers of health workers to with many HIV-positive women not
minimize the ever expanding heavy load in delivering at the hospital. With home
order to strengthen the EMTCT deliveries mothers missed out on their
programme. Furthermore, is that as drugs which are supposed to be taken
pertain health workers response on the during labor and after delivery, children
challenges they in implementation of are brought late or completely miss the
EMTCT in which according to HWs, Nevirapine (NVP) prophylaxis syrup, which
3(18.75%) said that mothers not attending is recommended 72 hours post-delivery.
Maternal based factors affecting health workers in implementation of EMTCT services
Considering mother based factors that transport, many of the mothers who need
hinder EMTCT, 9(56.25%) said that EMTCT services are usually poor mothers
pregnant mothers don’t know their HIV and this therefore makes them fear to go
status and this makes them reluctant to to health facility for treatment because
seek this service, 4(25%) said that some they think they will be required to buy
mothers are poor and can’t afford any some necessities and this make the work
associated costs in seeking the service like of health workers hard in offering the

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services. These findings have a correlation been exposed to such facilities when they
with findings from the studies by national are girls, others are not usually aware of
housing census, Uganda bureau of their HIV status up to when they get tested
statistics and Uganda demographic health during their ANC services, thus positive
survey in [40], which cited that poverty mothers usually live in denial and
and lack of funds as a leading obstacle by frustration before they can cope up with
mothers from accessing hospital deliveries life of positive living meanwhile.
and subsequent utilization of EMTCT According to [43] while analyzing the
services. This according to Uganda challenges in the prevention of Mother to
Ministry of Health has limited health child transmission of HIV in Africa and in
workers from accessing those in need of its report documented some findings from
the services. Furthermore 2(12.5%) health Uganda. It showed that stigma and
workers said some mothers are ignorant discrimination is still high in the
and have no knowledge on EMTCT services communities and many viewed ones with
and lastly only one health worker (6.25%) HIV/AIDS as having received a death
noted that some mothers usually undergo sentence. It was pointed out that some
denial stage when found HIV positive even women who can afford formula feeding
after thorough counseling and this delays still decided to continue breastfeeding so
her being initiated for the service. Some as to avoid being stigmatized. As results
mothers usually prime gravid mothers the rate of acceptance of formula feed is
usually don’t have information about very low (<30%) amongst women who
EMTCT programs because they have not received EMTCT treatment in Uganda.
Mothers, knowledge in relation to participating in EMTCT services
From the study on mothers response on HIV, compared to 34% at follow-up, whilst
ways how HIV can be transmitted from the 20% of the women at baseline and 58% at
mother to her baby, out of the sixteen follow-up had the same knowledge. More
mothers who took part in the study, so on mother’s response on importance of
7(43.75%) said that poor cutting of the cord voluntary counseling and testing in which
at delivery can lead to mothers blood 8(50%) the majority said it helps mothers
getting in contact with of the baby in which to know their HIV status and plan to live
HIV transmission can occur, 2(12.5%) of the accordingly, 4(25%) said it helps mothers
mothers said mothers’ to take ARVs for to have assurance of their unborn babies,
those who are positive increases the one mother said that knowing your HIV
chances to transmit it to their babies status helps to make delivery preparations
during or after delivery, 6(37.5%) said HIV for example HIV positive mothers
transmission from the mother to the baby delivering from health facilities. The rest
can’t during breastfeeding. One mother 3(18.75%) said VCT could help mothers to
(6.25%) said she didn’t know ways on how begin early medication such that they
HIV can be transmitted from the mother to remain health even after delivery from this
the child from this study, a bigger study it can be observed that all mothers
percentage of mothers 93.75% have knew that its of health importance to
knowledge on various methods in which attend a VCT, but they didn’t have a
HIV can spread from the mother to the detailed information about how EMTCT
baby, however the remaining 6.25 could help a mother who is found HIV
percentage is of health concern. There are positive. In a related, a study on HIV and
still mothers in Uganda who have little AIDS awareness and risk behavior among
knowledge on HIV transmission to their pregnant in rural areas in Kisoro western
babies, the findings of this research study Uganda, by [44-47] had observed that
support the observations of Centre for women had difficulties in distinguishing
Global development, in Kisenyi a Kampala HIV from AIDS and only 16% could mention
suburb, its survey in 2008 where only 16% symptoms of HIV/AIDS. He also found that
of the women were aware that medicine women’s knowledge in general was
from the hospital could prevent EMTCT of superficial with less understanding of the
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details and the nature of the EMTCT showed that although there was a good
services, in a similar study by USAID, a level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among
survey done in rural Zimbabwe areas to pregnant women at 61 percent, a demand
assess the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge still existed for a more comprehensive
amongst pregnant women and the EMTCT programme.
acceptability of an EMTCT programme
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the study concludes that, health workers who participated in the
there was a positive indicator for health study. Furthermore, they concludes that
workers offering EMTTCT services with HIV related stigma and denial have
current knowledge since the majority of affected health workers in giving EMTCT
the health workers at 81.25%, had ever services. This is because some mothers are
attained EMTCT reinforcement workshop not usually aware of their HIV status up to
however the remaining 3(18.75%) who when they get tested during their ANC
have not attended any workshop of that services, thus positive mothers usually
nature since they were transferred to live in denial and frustration before they
Bushenyi health centre IV should be of can cope up with life of positive living. The
concern, because it is through such study concludes that a bigger percentage
workshops that health workers get new of mothers at 93.75% have knowledge on
approaches and regimens for offering various methods in which HIV can spread
EMTCT as per MoH/WHO guidelines. The from the mother to the baby, however the
study also concludes that mothers remaining 6.25 percentage is of health
delivering from home is one of the concern and needs to be addressed.
setbacks to effective delivery of EMTCT Regarding knowledge on importance of
program, home deliveries are a setback to VCT, study concludes that all mothers
EMTCT service delivery because the knew that its of health importance to
mother and the exposed baby will not be attend a VCT, but they didn’t have a
able to receive care and medication as per detailed information about how EMTCT
EMTC guidelines in comparisons to other could help a mother who is found HIV
studies, this was cited by 6(37.5%) of the positive.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The government through ministry of for EMTCT services to mothers who may be
health should organize more workshops enable to come to the health facility quite
and short course trainings on EMTCT to often. Health workers should always do
enable health workers acquire knowledge follow up on their EMTCT clients so as to
of the service. The government should reduce the number of defaulters. Pregnant
sensitize people through public media to mothers should be encouraged to attend
make use of EMTCT services from health ANC services in which those who need
facilities. The management of Bushenyi EMTCT services can be identified
health centre IV should make outreaches
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