Utilization of PMTCT Services among HIV Positive Mothers Who Delivered At Home: A Case Of Turbo Health Centre, Eldoret North District, Kenya

Abstract

Background: The transmission of the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) from mother to child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding period is the most common way of HIV infection in children. Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV program is aimed at reducing the Mother to Child Transmission of HIV. The study aimed at exploring and describing factors which affect compliance to the utilization of PMTCT service package among HIV positive mothers who delivered outside a health facility.

Methods: The study adopted a descriptive qualitative study design and entailed in-depth interviews with the HIV positive postnatal mothers attending the maternal child health and family planning clinic (MCH/FP) at Turbo Health Centre as key informants.  The interviews were taped with a voice recorder, transcribed and analysed using NVivo computer software for qualitative research to document emerging themes.

Results: Four themes emerged from the results as follows 1) Knowledge of PMTCT services 2) Utilization of PMTCT services 3) Patient Factors that hinder compliance to PMTCT program and 4) Health centre related factors that hinder compliance to PMTCT program. Mothers did not take up the option to deliver at the health due to abrupt onset of labour, lack of transport and fees to pay for the delivery services at the health centre. Also, health related factors such as lack of incentives, staff attitude and lack of consistent information contributed to the mothers delivering at home.

Conclusion: It was apparent that the HIV + mothers were recruited in the PMTCT program, and appropriate follow-up made to ensure that they remain on course and comply fully with the PMTCT program. Home delivery was the missing link towards full compliance to PMTCT program.