Impact of HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) Knowledge on HIV Prevention Practices Among Traditional Birth Attendants in Nigeria

Authors

Alice Osuji, Training and Research-Global Solutions-PeTR-GSFollow
Jennifer R. Pharr, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Uche Nwokoro, Training and Research-Global Solutions-PeTR-GSFollow
Anulika Ike, Training and Research-Global Solutions-PeTR-GSFollow
Christiana Ali, Training and Research-Global Solutions-PeTR-GSFollow
Ogheneaga Ejiro, Ministry of HealthFollow
John Osuyali, Delta State Action Committee on AIDSFollow
Michael Obiefune, Training and Research-Global Solutions-PeTR-GSFollow
Kevin Fiscella, University of Rochester School of MedicineFollow
Echezona E. Ezeanolue, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-10-2015

Publication Title

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Volume

12

Issue

2

First page number:

1969

Last page number:

1982

Abstract

Nigeria is second in the world for the number of people with HIV and has a high rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Over 60% of births in Nigeria occur outside of health care facilities, and because of this, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) play a significant role in maternal and child health. It is important that TBAs be knowledgeable about HIV prevention. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of HIV testing and counseling (HTC) knowledge on the HIV prevention practices among TBAs in Nigeria. Five hundred TBAs were surveyed. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to assess differences in HIV prevention practices between TBAs with and without HTC knowledge. TBAs with HTC knowledge are significantly more likely to engage in HIV prevention practices than TBAs without HTC. Prevention practices included: wearing gloves during delivery (p < 0.01), sterilization of delivery equipment (p < 0.01), participation in blood safety training (p < 0.01), and disposal of sharps (p < 0.01). As long as a high percent of births occur outside health care facilities in Nigeria, there will be a need for TBAs. Providing TBAs with HTC training increases HIV prevention practices and can be a key to improve maternal and child health.

Keywords

HIV and AIDS; risk factors; traditional birth attendances; HIV preventive practices; HIV testing and counseling

Disciplines

Community Health and Preventive Medicine

File Format

PDF

File Size

701 KB

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Publisher Citation

Osuji, A.; Pharr, J.R.; Nwokoro, U.; Ike, A.; Ali, C.; Ejiro, O.; Osuyali, J.; Obiefune, M.; Fiscella, K.; Ezeanolue, E.E. Impact of HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) Knowledge on HIV Prevention Practices Among Traditional Birth Attendants in Nigeria. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12, 1969-1982.

Repository Citation

Osuji, A., Pharr, J. R., Nwokoro, U., Ike, A., Ali, C., Ejiro, O., Osuyali, J., Obiefune, M., Fiscella, K., Ezeanolue, E. E. (2015). Impact of HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) Knowledge on HIV Prevention Practices Among Traditional Birth Attendants in Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(2), 1969-1982.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120201969