[TuOa0303] FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ACCEPTANCE OF HIV VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN CAMEROON'S PMTCT PROGRAM.

3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment

Rio de Janeiro - July 24 - 27, 2005

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ACCEPTANCE OF HIV VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING AND TESTING AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN CAMEROON'S PMTCT PROGRAM.

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2005 Jul 24-27;3rd: Abstract No. TuOa0303

Tsague L.¹, Njom Nlend A.², Zoung-Kanyi A.C.¹, Engozo'o A.¹, Nokouni M.¹, Tene G.³, Eteki N.⁴, Penda I.⁵, Same Ekobo C.⁶, Tejioken M.⁷, Tchendjou P.⁷, Tih P.⁸, Bella Hiag A.¹
¹ Directorate of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon, ² National AIDS Control Committee, Yaoundé, Cameroon, ³ Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon, ⁴ Yaounde Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon, ⁵ Laquintini Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon, ⁶ National Insurance Fund Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon, ⁷ Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Yaoundé, Cameroon, ⁸ Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board, Bamenda, Cameroon

INTRODUCTION: Cameroon's PMTCT program started scaling up its interventions in year 2002. Since then, a great variation in HIV testing uptake (range : 16%-95%) has been described between differents sites. We have conducted operational research in some PMTCT sites to identify why there has been such a diversity of acceptancein order to give an appropriate response.

METHODS: A cross sectional study using a randomised sample of 38 PMTCT sites in all the 10 provinces was conducted. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire, administered to the PMTCT medical team. Qualitative and quantitative data about their PTMCT activities were collected.

RESULTS: From January to July 2003, 8,270 pregnant women were counselled for HIV with a median HIV testing uptake (HIV TU) of 65.5% (95% CI: 64.5-66.5%). The HIVTU varied from 9% to 98% according to site. The median duration of program implementation was 8 months (range: 2-46) and was correlated with an increase in HIVTU (p<0.01). 78.5%(109/139) of counsellors in PMTCT sites were trained. Median HIVTU in sites with more than 5 trained counsellors was significantly higher than in sites with less than 5 (85% versus 59%; p=0.02). Average cost of HIV testing was $2.2 (range: 0-$9.4). Median HIVTU were 75% and 59% in sites offering HIV testing at a cost less or more than $2.72 respectively. There was no association between the cost of HIV testing and the HIVTU (p=0.29), although a correlation was observed (r=0.332, p=0.032).

CONCLUSIONS: The number of trained counsellors seems to influence HIVTU in our program more than the cost of HIV testing which is only correlated. Emphasis should be made on increasing the number of well trained cousellors at PMTCT sites to ensure a quality comprehensive PMTCT package and increase the number of pregnant women accepting HIV testing.

Download PDF of this abstract.

050724
Prevention | TuOa0303 | Landry Tsague
Epidemiology of vertical transmission

Copyright © 2005 - International AIDS Society (IAS). All information and content relating to the abstracts from the 3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, and software is protected by copyright. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information on this web site, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information herein, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.