Title:
Contributing Factors to Utilization of Infant Prophylactic Antiretroviral Therapy and Early Infant Diagnosis to Prevent Mother to Child Transmission of HIV in Ghana
Authors:
Baffoe, Peter
Year:
2014
PAGE:
ix, 51
Language:
En
Subject:
Maternal Health – Lessons Learned
Keywords:
Infant, prophylactic, Antiretroviral, PMTCT, Ghana, maternal and child health services
Abstract:
Background: Infant prophylactic antiretroviral therapy (ART) for prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV was introduced in Ghana in 2003. However, in 2012, only 20% of HIV exposed infants received ART. Objective: This thesis explores the factors that influence utilization of infant prophylactic ART and early infant diagnosis (EID) and make recommendations to address the challenges. Method: Literature review was conducted on infant prophylactic ART in Ghana using a conceptual framework of David H. Peters. Findings: The organizational structure of PMTCT program in Ghana encourages integration of infant prophylactic ARV and maternal and child health services. However, the inability of service providers to provide service to the 45% of women who are not attended by skilled birth attendants (SBA) during delivery, the lack of antiretroviral drugs (ARV) in community health planning services (CHPS) centres are barriers to timely utilization of the service. Conclusions: Factors influencing utilization of Infant prophylactic ARV in Ghana are the inability of service providers to reach infants born to HIV infected mothers who are not attended by SBA, lack of ARV at CHPS centres, long turnover time for virological results for EID. Recommendations: The NACP should consider to offer "take home infant dose" of newborn prophylactic ARV to HIV infected pregnant women during the third trimester at the ANC clinics. The program should also scale up ART services for PMTCT to CHPS and health centres especially those that are conducting deliveries and equip more health facilities to perform virological test for EID.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institue)
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Country:
Ghana, Republic of
Region:
West Africa
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2014 Baffoe
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
AgGnUtOsO8_2016102511302766.pdf