Abstract

As PMTCT services are being decentralized to primary health centres, it becomes important to understand the disposition of clients at this level to HIV counselling and testing (HCT) in order to design targeted programs. This study aimed to examine the perception about HIV testing among ante-natal clinic clients at primary health centres (PHC) in Osogbo, Southwest, Nigeria. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. All 270 consenting pregnant women that attended antenatal booking clinic in three selected PHCs in Osogbo, between May 2009 and October 2010 were included in the study. 193 (71.5%) were aware of HCT, however, only 26.3% knew their HIV status, and the reasons for testing included; desire to know status (28, 39.4%), request by the church before wedding (11.3%), when very ill (42.3%) and other reasons (5.6%). Majority of the respondents (260, 96.3%) were willing to do the test after counselling, but only if treatment was available for positive cases (46.5%) and if anonymity is strictly maintained (16.9%). The major reason given by the respondents who were not willing to carry out the test, was that they were not at risk (7, 70.0%). Willingness to test was found to have a statistically significant relationship with specific MTCT-related knowledge (t = 2.431, p = 0.034). The level of awareness of respondents about HIV/AIDS, prevent the mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and HIV counselling and testing (HCT) was high among the respondents, however very few knew their HIV status. It is recommended that HIV educational activities should target special groups such as pregnant women attending PHCs and should address the challenges peculiar to these groups.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, prevent the mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), HIV counselling and testing, pregnant women, antenatal clinic, perception.