Abstract:
Background: Mother to child transmission contributes significantly to the
incidence of HIV in our country. A PMTCT program exists in MNH and some
surrounding public hospitals since 2000. In spite of this it has been observed that
a substantial number of women delivering at MNH have not had VCT and
therefore are not benefit from the PMTCT intervention.
Objective: To determine the acceptance of counseling, voluntary HIV testing
and prophylactic use of Nevirapine among pregnant women during labour /
immediate postpartum at Muhimbili National Hospital.
Methodology:
Study setting: The labour ward of Muhimbili National Hospital.
Study design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study.
Study population: All pregnant women delivering at MNH during the study
period of 3 months. (12thAugust - 4thNovember 2004)
Sample size: 885 women with unknown sero-status and 355 women who were
sero-negative more than 3 months prior to r:
Data collection: Trained counselors invited all women who met inclusion
criteria as they were admitted. Women who accepted counseling were taken to
private rooms for discussion and those who consented were screened for HIV
using rapid tests. Direct observed therapy with Nevirapine was done. Data was
filled in a structured questionnaire.
