Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices on Antiretroviral Therapy in Farming Communities in Ghana: A Study of HIV Positive Women

Low levels of knowledge of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Prevention of Mother-To-Child-Transmission (MTCT) among persons living with HIV present an unwanted window for transmission within the general population. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of HIV positive women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Prevention of Mother-To-Child-Transmission (MTCT). The study surveyed 211 HIV positive women from ART centres in two districts in Ashanti region of Ghana. Data was collected through interviews using structured questionnaires and focus group discussion using interview guides. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that about 15% of the women exhibited no knowledge about the possibility of transmission of HIV from mother to child whilst 36% had no knowledge on the mode of MTCT of HIV. Those who had knowledge of MTCT indicated that this could be intrauterine (88%), delivery (69%) and through breastfeeding (82 %).Mothers with incomprehensive knowledge on ART were 2.5 times more likely to default ART (OR=2.5, p=0.002). Comprehensive knowledge was positively influenced by high education level (OR=1.9; p=0.003). Social marketing campaigns should be developed and targeted at improving women literacy on their health issues and getting more women to test for HIV in order to incorporate them into PMTCT programmes. Further research however needs to be conducted to ascertain the facility and community based factors that influence the women’s knowledge on ART and PMTCT.