title: Knowledge and perception of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Ogun State, Nigeria.
abstract: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) is responsible for more than 90% of the cases of HIV infection in infants and children in sub-Saharan Africa. Accurate data on the knowledge and perceptions of HIV/AIDS among women attending antenatal clinics in Nigeria are scarce. A cross-sectional survey of 804 women attending antenatal clinics in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria was done using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Approximately 90% of the women respondents had heard of HIV/AIDS, but only about 27% knew HIV could be transmitted from mother to child; of those, almost 94% believed in the reality of HIV disease; in contrast, the majority (64%) believed they were not at risk of HIV infection, and a slightly greater proportion (70%) did not understand the benefits of voluntary HIV counselling and testing (VCT). Nonetheless, almost 90% of respondents were willing to know their status following health education about VCT. Those that were older, attending public hospitals, and with a higher level of education had more knowledge and better perceptions about HIV. The results suggest an urgent need for public health education on HIV/AIDS and the benefits of VCT to control MTCT, particularly targeting young women and those with little or no education.
authors: Adeniyi K
authors: AK
authors: Adeneye
authors: Margaret A
authors: MA
authors: Mafe
authors: Adejuwon A
authors: AA
authors: Adeneye
authors: Kabiru K
authors: KK
authors: Salami
authors: William R
authors: WR
authors: Brieger
authors: Musbau A
authors: MA
authors: Titiloye
authors: Taiwo A
authors: TA
authors: Adewole
authors: Philip U
authors: PU
authors: Agomo
keywords: ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE; AFRICA; ATTITUDES; MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV; VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING