The association between mother‐to‐child HIV transmission knowledge and antenatal care utilisation in Cameroon

Abstract

While the health benefits of antenatal care (ANC) utilisation for mothers and their infants have been well documented, very few studies have explored the association between mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and mothers' utilisation of ANC in HIV endemic regions such as Cameroon. To address this void in the literature, we use the 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey to examine the association between mother's knowledge of MTCT of HIV and the three strands of ANC utilisation (i.e., number of ANC visits, timing to first ANC visit, and place of delivery). We found that women with adequate MTCT knowledge were more likely to have four to seven ANC visits (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 1.39, p < 0.001) and more than eight ANC visits (RRR = 1.43, p < 0.05), compared to their counterparts with inadequate knowledge. Similarly, women with adequate MTCT knowledge were more likely to attend ANC within the first trimester (odds ratio [OR] = 1.16, p < 0.05) and to give birth in a health facility (OR = 1.37, p < 0.001) than their counterparts with inadequate MTCT of HIV knowledge. These results remained robust after controlling for theoretically relevant variables. Based on these findings, we discussed several implications for policymakers and recommendations for future research.

Knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among women living with HIV in Malawi

“…This is particularly important as an earlier study elsewhere in Cameroon has linked such knowledge to the timely initiation and uptake of antenatal care services that help reduce the chances of vertical transmission. 17 Similarly, Tippett Barr et al 9 found in Malawi that women living with HIV may be initiating ART at later stages during their postpartum periods, although this tends to increase the risk of MTCT of HIV. Emphasising the need for timely initiation of treatment for women living with HIV during pregnancy, van Lettow et al 18 further observed that women who missed any of the recommended steps for the prevention of MTCT of HIV increased their likelihood of vertical transmission.…”