Assessment of Effect of Knowledge and Medication Adherence on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV among Postnatal HIV Women in Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: HIV is a virus that attacks the body natural immune system. The virus will act against the body?s natural defense system and destroy a type of white blood cell in the immune system called a T-helper cell (CD4 cell). In India, preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains one of the foremost challenges in community health. Countrywide MTCT of HIV is estimated to be >?10,000 annually. Objective: The assess the effect of knowledge and adherence on prevention of MTCT of HIV among postnatal women in tertiary care hospital. Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in GGH, Ongole for a period of 6 months. The knowledge of HIV infected postnatal women about MTCT and adherence to ART regimen among 238 patients was assessed. Results: Our study involves 248 patients out of which 238 patients were included among them 231patients (97.4%) have adequate knowledge and 230 patients (96.54%) have complete adherence to ART regimen. Out of which 8 patients did not have complete adherence towards ART, which among 7 patients finally leads to HIV transmission from mother to child after parturition. Conclusion: From our study we concluded that having knowledge on MTCT and complete adherence towards ART have prevented the transmission of HIV infection from mother to child.