Prevalence of HIV and Use of ARV Drugs Among Pregnant Mothers Attending the ANC Clinic in Mbarara Regional Referral Hopital.

Abstract

This study was done in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), Mbarara district. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HIV infections among the pregnant women who get their antenatal services from the ANC clinic in that hospital, and determine the use of ARV drugs by the HIV-infected pregnant women. The study population were the pregnant mothers who had their antenatal services in the hospital during the period of January 2013 and January 2014, most especially those that were found to be HIV-positive during that period.

The study was a retrospective study which employed one method of collecting data, which was review of the hospital records in the MCH clinic of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Analysis of data was both qualitative and quantitative, as well as univariate and bivariate. The records of the hospital were studied, sorted and analyzed accordingly. Prevalence of HIV among the 1593 mothers was 13.8% (220 mothers).Factors that contributed to this prevalence rate are; age (higher in 16 – 27 years; 34%, and lower in 28 – 39 years; 14%), education (highest in primary level; 34%), religion (highest in Muslim women; 48%), marital status (lowest in married women; 9%), parity (20% in women with 7 – 9 children), occupation (lowest in professional workers; 4%) and monthly income (lowest in women with an income >200,000; 5%). Among the 220 mothers who were HIV-positive, the level of use of the ARV drugs was 79% (173 women).

The study findings suggested a relatively high prevalence rate among the pregnant mothers (13.8%) and recommendations from the findings are; increasing awareness through sex education to the young people, periodic assessment of patients’ welfare by the concerned organs or clinics, ensure increased enrollment of children into schools, and thorough and goal-oriented counselling sessions for all newly diagnosed HIV patients.