title: Utilization of delivery services in the context of prevention of HIV from mother-to-child (PMTCT) in a rural community, South Africa.
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.
authors.affiliation: Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health, Human Sciences Research Council, Private Bag X41, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. peltzerk@hsrc.ac.za
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peltzer
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mosala
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shisana
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nqeteko
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006700:Home Childbirth / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel