Abstract:
BACKGROUND
This study investigated the impact of nurse-led PMTCT (Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission) health education on enhancing HIV status disclosure among HIV-positive women in Mombasa County, Kenya. HIV status disclosure is crucial for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission and the overall well-being of affected individuals and their families.
METHODS
A quasi-experimental design was employed, with participants divided into an intervention group of 107 receiving nurse-led PMTCT health education and a control group of 107 receiving standard care. Demographic information, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to HIV status disclosure were collected at baseline and post-intervention phases. Descriptive statistics were computed and a chi-square test was used to compare the level of self-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners across the groups. Difference in differences (DID) analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
RESULTS
The study initially found that at baseline, 60.4% of HIV-positive women in the control group did not disclose their status to sexual partners, compared to 55.4% in the intervention group. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups at this stage. In the end-line survey, the control group had 64% non-disclosure, while the intervention group showed a significant improvement, with only 20% not disclosing. Chi-square analysis revealed a substantial difference (p < 0.001) in disclosure rates between the intervention and control groups. Additionally, a Difference-in-Differences (DID) analysis indicated a significant improvement in self-disclosure (23.1% net intervention effect, p < 0.0001). Overall, the nurse-led health education intervention notably increased HIV status disclosure among HIV-positive women in selected Mombasa County health facilities.
CONCLUSION
Nurse-led PMTCT education enhances HIV disclosure in Mombasa County, improving PMTCT outcomes and curbing mother-to-child transmission. Tailored interventions are vital in addressing HIV challenges in diverse contexts.
