A STUDY TO ASEESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF ANTENATAL MOTHER REGARDING PREVENTION OF MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV IN A SELECTED ANTENATAL CLINIC BANGALORE, WITH A VIEW TO DEVELOP AN INFORMATION GUIDESHEET

Author

Prof. Anitha N M

Abstract

 Maternal health is a fundamental component of child health, growth, and survival. Nevertheless, certain infections, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), may be passed from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, labour and delivery, or through breastfeeding. This process is known as mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and continues to be a significant public health issue, particularly in developing countries such as India. Although advances in medical care, early diagnosis, and antiretroviral therapy have improved the prevention of paediatric HIV infection, challenges remain in eliminating new infections among children. Adequate knowledge among pregnant women about the possible routes of HIV transmission and the available preventive strategies is essential for promoting healthy pregnancy outcomes and reducing the risk of infection in newborns. Antenatal care services provide an important opportunity to educate expectant mothers about HIV prevention, early testing, timely treatment, and other recommended interventions. In this context, a study was conducted to assess the knowledge of antenatal mothers regarding the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in a selected antenatal clinic in Bengaluru, with the objective of developing an information guide sheet to improve their understanding of the preventive measures.

Keywords

HIV, Mother-to-Child Transmission, Antenatal Mothers, Knowledge, Prevention, Vertical Transmission.

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