BACKGROUND: In consideration of the prevention of maternal to child transmission, it has been essential to consider once HIV status. HIV testing has been in existence for a long time. In essence, there is a dilemma to consider the factors affecting as well as enhancing its acceptability among pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors based on the generated domains which may affect the acceptability of HIV testing among pregnant women consulting in our institution.
METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study design in the form of a survey employing validated questionnaires will be given to elicit responses among 246 pregnant women consulting the Out-Patient Department of our institution. Eligibility criteria were determined. The study was divided into pre-validation, validation and administration of questionnaire phases. Statistical analysis utilized were descriptive statistics, t-test, Chi-square test of association.
RESULTS: The age ranged was 14 to 46 years old with a mean age of 27.43 years. 41.4 % had a knowledge about HIV testing whereas, 48.4% did not have knowledge on HIV testing. 37.4% were willing to voluntarily submit themselves for the test. Majority of our respondents (85.4%) were knowledgeable about maternal to child transmission. Split and heterogenous responses were elicited to validated questionnaires. However, 71.5% believed and preferred pre-natal HIV test counselling. 59.8% believed that it had to be done routinely. The over-all acceptability was 37%.
CONCLUSION: The knowledge on HIV testing was 41%. Its acceptability was 37%. Hence, we conclude that it had a low acceptability rate, therefore we must consider the various responses elicited by the survey in order to improve and enhance its acceptability among pregnant women.