| dc.description.abstract | Introduction:
Globally, over 90% of pediatric HIV infections are due to MTCT (Ayalu A. e tal, 2012). In Uganda, 46% children are exposed to HIV from their mothers. Worldwide, retention at 12 months was 81% (WHO, 2011) and Uganda, retention at 12 months was 87%, (WHO, 2012). The study aimed at finding possible strategies to reduce child HIV transmission.
Main objective
The study aimed at assessing the existing retention strategies for pregnant and lactating mothers on PMTCT program at Itojo Hospital, Ntungamo District.
Methodology:
The study used in-depth interviews, focus group discussion and documentary review methods to collect data and used questionnaires and interview guides, and hospital registers to collect data.
Results:
Total respondents were 160 of which 82.5% were pregnant and lactating mothers, 54.1% were aged below 30 years, 73.9% married and 65.2% had primary education while 47.4% came from radius more than 5 kilometers. Factors responsible for loss to follow up were; distance, occupation, disclosure issues, lack of partner support and poor staffing. Limitations of retention strategies revealed pregnant and lactating mothers were 24 times more likely not to return for PMTCT due to drug stocks outs, were 25 times more likely not to return due high costs. Retention strategies used in other facilities included; introduction of community department, use of community quality improvement projects, local leaders and expert patients.
Conclusion:
The study revealed that drug stocks, high costs of follow up and wrong telephone numbers, poor staffing and attitudes, disclosure issues and lack of partner support influenced retention into PMTCT. | en_US |
