Prevalence of maternal HIV infection and knowledge on mother-to-child transmission of HIV and its prevention among antenatal care attendees in a rural area in northwest Cameroon.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In 2010, an estimated 141 new HIV infections occurred per day in Cameroon and reports suggest an upsurge of these rates by 2020 if current trends continue. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV is a major public health challenge, and maternal knowledge on HIV transmission during pregnancy and its prevention is important in curtailing paediatric HIV acquisition.

Objectives

We aimed at establishing the prevalence of maternal HIV infection as well as assessing knowledge on HIV, MTCT and prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) of HIV among pregnant women in a rural area of Cameroon.

Methods

This study was conducted in two phases: a 29 month retrospective analysis of 1866 deliveries within three rural health facilities in the Babessi sub-division, Northwest Cameroon and

SUBMITTER: Sama CB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5310783 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature