Objectives: A program to educate and counsel antenatal and postnatal women about HIV, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), and infant feeding was implemented in Harare as part of the Zimbabwe Vitamin A for Mothers and Babies (ZVITAMBO) project. This study describes mothers' knowledge about these issues, and analyzes the relationship between that knowledge and reported exposure to the ZVITAMBO counseling program. Methods: 1995 women were interviewed within 9 months of delivery to assess MTCT knowledge and recall of exposure to the program. The relationship between knowledge and exposure was assessed using generalized linear models. Results: 97% of women knew general facts about HIV/AIDS, but only 13.3% chose to learn their HIV status. 22.7% erroneously believed that most or all babies born to an HIV-infected woman would themselves be HIV-infected at birth, and 28.6% thought that most or all would become infected through breastfeeding. More than half of the women interviewed could name at least one condition that increases the risk of postnatal HIV transmission (52.8%) and at least one measure that could be taken to reduce HIV transmission through breastfeeding (60.6%). MTCT knowledge increased significantly among women with greater reported exposure to the program, after adjusting for other significant explanatory variables, including maternal education, knowledge of HIV status, and timing of first contact with the program (antenatal versus postnatal contact). Conclusions: Education and counseling, especially during the antenatal period, can have a measurable impact on knowledge about MTCT and possible ways to reduce postnatal transmission in this high-risk population.
Learning Objectives: At%20the%20conclusion%20of%20this%20session,%20the%20participant%20will%20be%20able%20to: %201.%20Describe%20Zimbabwean%20mothers'%20knowledge%20about%20HIV,%20mother-to-child%20transmission%20(MTCT)%20and%20infant%20feeding %202.%20Discuss%20the%20relationship%20between%20exposure%20to%20the%20ZVITAMBO%20counseling%20program%20and%20knowledge%20about%20HIV,%20MTCT%20and%20infant%20feeding
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Breastfeeding
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: ZVITAMBO%20Project
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.