KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF MIDWIVES TOWARDS PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV IN BRAZZAVILLE

Fayçal-Khalil Ali-Zaoro*, Clautaire Itoua, Samantha Potokoue, Gauthier Junior Buambo,
Rébecca Magali Locko Mafouta, Pamela Nianga Bozongo, Jean Alfred Bongo, Pierre Marie Tebeu, Aurore Mbika Cardorelle, Léon Hervé Iloki

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In the Congo, the frequency of mother-to-child transmission of HIV remains high at 6.7%. There are not many health professionals who are familiar with and practise HIV PMTCT (22.9%), most of whom are physicians. Since midwives, too, have an important role to play in the follow-up of pregnant women and the practice of childbirth with regard to HIV status; our study aimed to analyse the knowledge, attitudes and practices of midwives regarding the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Brazzaville. Methods: From January to June 2020, we conducted an analytical KAP study (KAP 2), concerning midwives in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the six (6) reference hospitals in Brazzaville. Results: One hundred and sixty-six midwives were interviewed. They had a median age of 42 years, a higher level of education (51.8%) with more years of work (44%). Exercise years were associated with the ratings of having satisfactory knowledge (p = 0.05). Their level of knowledge was unsatisfactory (68.7%) with disparities in partial knowledge; their attitudes were appropriate (67%) and their practices were poor (84.4%). Knowledge influenced attitudes (OR = 3.23 CI [1.43; 7,22] ; p = 0.003). Knowledge and attitudes have influenced practices. Midwives with satisfactory knowledge were 20 times more likely to have good practices (OR = 20.17; CI [6,45-63,01]; p = 0.000), and those with appropriate attitudes were 15 times more likely to have good practices (OR = 15.70; CI [2.07-119.23], p = 0.001). Conclusion: A strategy to strengthen the capacity of midwives to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV would help to improve their practice.

Keywords: PMTCT, HIV, knowledge, attitudes, practices, midwives, Brazzaville.