Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices on Antiretroviral Therapy in Farming Communities in Ghana: A Study of HIV Positive Women

Abstract

Low levels of knowledge of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Prevention of Mother-To-Child-Trans mission (MTCT) among persons living with HIV present an unwanted window for transmission within the general population. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of HIV positive wo men on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Prevention of Mother-To-Ch ild-Transmission (MTCT). The study surveyed 211 HIV positive wo men fro m A RT centres in two districts in Ashanti region of Ghana. Data was collected through interviews using structured questionnaires and focus group discussion using interview guides. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that about 15% of the wo men exh ibited no knowledge about the possibility of transmission of HIV fro m mother to child whilst 36% had no knowledge on the mode of MTCT of HIV. Those who had knowledge of MTCT indicated that this could be intrauterine (88%), delivery (69%) and through breastfeeding (82 %).Mothers with inco mprehensive knowledge on ART were 2.5 t imes more likely to defau lt A RT (OR=2.5, p=0.002). Co mprehensive knowledge was positively influenced by high education level (OR=1.9; p =0.003). Social marketing campaigns should be developed and targeted at improving wo men literacy on their health issues and getting more wo men to test for HIV in order to incorporate them into PMTCT programmes. Further research however needs to be conducted to ascertain the facility and community based factors that influence the women's knowledge on ART and PMTCT.