Effectiveness of Prevention of Mother to Child Hiv / Aids Transmission at Kandiege Level 4 Hospital, Kandiege, Homabay County, Kenya

Abstract

Targeted intervention have proven effective in reducing the transmission of HIV from a mother to her unborn child and the infant in developed countries. PMTCT programs are well established in many developing countries. Although it is thought that these programs help reduce transmission of HIV to infants, in Kenya no nationwide study has ever been carried out to support this notion. The number of women in need of PMTCT over the last .ten years is estimated at annual average of 80,OOO.However,this annual need for PMTCT decreased slightly from about 98,000 in 2004 to 79,000 in 2013. This data underscores the need to address epidemic in order to reduce the number of infants exposed to HIV infection. The overall objective of the study was therefore to examine the effectiveness of prevention of mother to child HIV transmission (PMTCT) program. The study adopted a descriptive research design and targeted population was a representative sample of infants born to HIV positive mothers. A representative sample of the aforementioned population was selected using simple random sampling method. Data was collected using structured questionnaire which was administered to hospital administrators. Data collected 'vas checked for errors of omission and commission. Data was then classified, measured, analyzed and interpreted, with respect to the study objectives. Analysis was done using descriptive statistic including measures of central tendency and dispersion. Test of independence (t-test) was carried out. to test difference of means. The study determined that prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV PMTCT program at Kandiege level 4 hospital was ineffective at 95% confidence level and so the preventive measures was ineffective.