Abstract

Sow P. G*, Wade, Toure K.Ndiaye I. P, and Traore

Pregnant women are at higher risk of transmitting the infections to their foetus. This prompted the “prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) program” in Senegal since 1998. The objective of this cross sectional study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant mothers in the social Institute of health and hygiene of Dakar towards human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and its influencing factors. Data were obtained through self administered questionnaires. Only 32.2% of the respondents have good knowledge, compared to 67.8% who had poor knowledge (p < 0.001). Majority of them (56.4%) have good attitude and practice towards HIV/AIDS compared to the remaining poor attitude and practice respondent (44.4%) (p < 0.001). Radio/TV (90.2%) and reading materials (83.9%) were the main sources of obtaining information. Main predictors for having good knowledge towards HIV/AIDS were women aged over 30 years old, have high education, who perceived on having good knowledge towards HIV/AIDS and received health education from health staffs. Meanwhile, predictors for having good attitude and practice towards HIV/AIDS were women having high education and received health education from health staffs. Therefore, implementation of PMCTC must be reviewed regularly to ensure the program reach its targets.