Knowledge of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among reproductive age women in high HIV/AIDS prevalent countries: A multilevel analysis of recent Demographic and Health Surveys.

BACKGROUND: A lack of enough knowledge about the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among reproductive-age women is thought to be a key contributor to new pediatric HIV infections worldwide, and rising HIV-related infant mortality, particularly in resource-limited countries. Knowledge of MTCT of HIV is key to halt the progression of HIV/AIDS. Therefore, this study aimed to assess knowledge of MTCT of HIV and its associated factors among reproductive-age women in high HIV/AIDS prevalent countries.

METHODS: A secondary data analysis was performed using 8 HIV/AIDS prevalent countries' Demographic and Health Surveys. A total weighted sample of 97,130 respondents was included in this study. Stata 17 was used for data extraction, coding, and analysis. A multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted. The odds ratios along with the 95% confidence interval were generated to determine the factors of good knowledge of MTCT of HIV among reproductive-age women. A 95% confidence interval and a p-value of less than 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance.

RESULTS: The prevalence of good knowledge of MTCT HIV was 57.89% (95% CI: 57.67,58.29). Mothers aged 25-34 (AOR  =  1.37, 95% CI = 1.32, 1.42), 35 and above(AOR  =  2.46,95% CI = 1.41, 1.52), mothers' primary education (AOR  = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.26, 1.38),), secondary education (AOR  = 1.65,95% CI = 1.56, 1.74), higher education (AOR  = 1.72,95% CI = 1.58,1.86), exposed to mass media (AOR  = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08,1.16) rich wealth status (AOR  = 1.11 (95% CI = 1.06,1.15), talked about MTCT (AOR  = 1.70,95% CI = 1.64, 1.76), visited by field worker (AOR  = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.03,1.14), health facility visit (AOR  = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.18), urban dwellers (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04,1.14), ever tested for HIV(AOR = 2.18 (95% CI = 2.10,2.27), currently working status (AOR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.12,1.19) were factors associated with good knowledge of MTCT of HIV/AIDS among reproductive age women.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the prevalence of good knowledge of MTCT was low in high HIV/AIDS prevalent countries. Maternal age, primary education and above, exposed to media, having higher wealth status, talked about MTCT during ANC visits, being visited by a field worker, visited a health facility, currently working, living in the urban area, and ever been tested for HIV were positively associated with knowledge of MTCT. Health policy and programs should focus on educating mothers, encouraging women to contact health facilities and a well-targeted communications program is required to enhance knowledge of MTCT of HIV.