Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of midwives toward HIV/AIDS positive mothers delivering at Kenyatta national hospital, labour ward

Abstract

Introduction: HIV infection in pregnant women has become the most significant public health problem worldwide. The largest source of infection is HIV transmission from infected mother to-child. Scientific data now confirm that HIV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child in utero, during delivery and through breastfeeding. Midwives have the ability to intervene to reduce the transmission of the virus to the baby. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of midwives toward HIV/AIDS positive mothers delivering at Kenyatta National Hospital, labour ward. Study design: The cross-sectional descriptive design was utilized to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of midwives toward HIV/AIDS positive mothers delivering at KNH, .• labour ward. Methods: Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to determine the study population composed of 39 midwives. Data was collected using a self administered, pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutions and consent from participants. Information sought included respondents' demographic characteristics, HIV / AIDS knowledge, attitude and institutional resources availability. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 program. Both descriptive and inferential statistics analysis was performed. ANOVA and r-tests were also used. The study was conducted for a total period of 16 weeks from Juneto September 2011. Findings: The mean knowledge score was 15.97 (SD = 2.43) out of a maximum score of 23 representing moderately high level of HIV / AIDS knowledge. Knowledge on antibody response to HIV infection and retroviral cause of HIV/AIDS was low. There was a statistically significant association between knowledge among midwives and their midwifery roles (p = 0.018) Midwives' demographic characteristics, institutional factors and maternal factors did not show significant associations with knowledge, attitude and practice. Conclusions and recommendations: The study revealed that the midwives had adequate HIV/AIDS knowledge but, still had gaps in certain areas. In addition they showed a positive attitude. There is need for improved knowledge through structured educational intervention on the care of HIV/AIDS positive mothers.