Omondi et al. Afr. J. Pharmacol. Ther. 2012 . 1 (2): 55-61 A KeSoBAP Publication ©2012 . All rights reserved. ISSN 2303-9841 55 The quality of PMTCT services and uptake of ARV prophylaxis amongst HIV positive pregnant women in Kakamega district, Kenya

Abstract

Background: The success of a PMTCT programme depends on the qu ality of services offered at health facilities. Indicators of quality include the competence and at titude of the counsellor and uptake of ARV prophyla xis. Objective: This study looked at the relationship between qual ity of prevention of mother to child transmission o f HIV (PMTCT) services and the maternal ARV prophylaxis u ptake in Kakamega district, Kenya. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study. Thirty heal th facilities and health care workers were sampled using multistage sampling. From these health facilities, 119 HIV positive pregnant women were sampled by con venience s ampling. The PMTCT counsellors and HIV positive pre gnant were interviewed using a structured questionn aire. Statistical analysis: Descriptive data analysis was carried out on all va riables. Categorical variables across groups were compared using the Fisher Exact test. Logistic regression was used to identify determinants of up take of ARV prophylaxis at facility level Results: About 86.7% of the health facilities sampled had satisfac tory quality of PMTCT services and 89% of HIV positive pregnant women reported that they received satisfactory PMTCT counselling services. About 90% of the counsellors have received PMTCT training and the me an score in a knowledge test was 77.2%. However, pr oviders generally had a negative attitude towards their cli ents. On regression analysis, there was no signifi cant association between various aspects of quality and infant ARV p rophylaxis uptake. Uptake at facility level was de termined by the district and type of health facility. Conclusion : The quality of service in the sampled facilities was generally good but this did not influence the l evel of uptake of maternal or infant ARV prophylaxis. Key words: Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), ARV prophylaxis, HIV-positive pregnant women.