Mothers`knowledge about Mother-to Child Transmission and Preventions: A qualitative study in the Limpopo Province Option B+ PMTCT post-delivery programmes, South Africa.

Abstract

Abstract Background. Awareness and knowledge about Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) and prevention measure are important to combat MTCT in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) postpartum phase. Nevertheless, knowledge about MTCT remains inadequate among mothers with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) despite strong evidence of the importance and effectiveness of PMTCT services. This study aims to explore the awareness or knowledge about MTCT and health-seeking behaviours among HIV positive mothers who are Loss to follow-up (LTFU) and mothers who are not LTFU. Methods. The study applied a qualitative phenomenology research design. Using purposive sampling technique, a sample of 18 HIV positive mothers who were LTFU and 20 HIV positive mother who were not LTFU were included in this study. Semi-structured interviews were used to conduct data at five health facilities in the Capricorn and Mopani Districts of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data was analysed using thematic data analysis method. Results. The findings reveal that most of the mothers who were LTFU and mothers who were not LTFU were not aware and did not know that a mother can transmit HIV to her child during pregnancy and delivery. Although most of the mothers were aware of MTCT during breastfeeding, they believed that breastmilk does not contain or store HIV. The mothers who were LTFU were aware of prevention measures and emphasized on the importance of HIV treatment as an important measure to prevent MTCT. They were aware that PMTCT post-natal services are important in reducing the spread of HIV. Even with the knowledge about HIV treatment and how to prevent MTCT, the mothers failed to adhere to treatment and clinic appointments. Conclusion. The mothers` knowledge about MTCT and prevention measures did not positively influence health-seeking behaviours. To promote services use, awareness campaigns should provide quality information about the danger of LTFU and non-adherence.