Utilization of delivery services in the context of prevention of HIV from mother-to-child (PMTCT) in a rural community, South Africa

Curationis. 2006 Mar;29(1):54-61. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v29i1.1049.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of delivery services in the context of PMTCT in a rural community in South Africa. Based on a cross-sectional survey, the sample included 870 pregnant women who had delivered before recruited from five PMTCT clinics and surrounding communities. Results indicated that 55.9% had delivered their last child in a health care facility and 44.1% at home (mostly without assistance from a traditional birth attendant). The odds of access to the health facility were (1) women who stayed close to the hospital (OR = 2.87), (2) those who had higher formal education (OR = 1.55), (3) higher traveling costs (affordability) to get to nearest clinic (OR = 1.77), and (4) those who were single (OR = 1.58). Childbirth experiences of the mother or mother-in-law greatly influenced the delivery choices in terms of home delivery. The majority of the pregnant women were aware of mother-to-child HIV transmission but only 9% of the pregnant women had ever been tested for HIV. HIV knowledge, HIV testing behaviour and attitudes were found to be not associated with the delivery option.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health* / ethnology
  • Choice Behavior
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Delivery, Obstetric / psychology
  • Delivery, Obstetric / statistics & numerical data*
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Home Childbirth / psychology
  • Home Childbirth / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / prevention & control*
  • Intention
  • Logistic Models
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / prevention & control*
  • Prenatal Care
  • Rural Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • South Africa
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Travel