Abstract

The vast majority of HIV-positive children worldwide acquire the infection through vertical transmission. The transmission of HIV from a HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding is called Mother-To-Child Transmission. Awareness and attitude towards HIV and the prevention of MTCT in antenatal women is important in reducing the incidence of HIV in children. The study was conducted to evaluate the cognizance of HIV/AIDS and to study the influence of socio-demographic factors on the knowledge of vertical transmission of HIV among pregnant women. The data was collected using a well-structured and interviewer administered questionnaire. The study showed the overall low level of knowledge among pregnant women on HIV/AIDS especially regarding it’ MTCT. From the study, education proved to be the major weapon that can improve the knowledge among pregnant women. Our study even shows that there is less effort of health providers towards educating the antenatal women regarding HIV. Even spouse testing for HIV is low. There is a need to increase the cognizance of HIV and MTCT among pregnant women who were less educated and belonging to lower socio economic status.

Keywords: KAP study, MTCT, Antenatal Women.