ArticlePloS one2022
The barriers and facilitators of HIV-exposed infant testing as perceived by HIV-positive mothers in Botswana: A qualitative study.
Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Article
- Experiences of nurses in patient adherence to antiretoroviral therapy in Mpumalanga, South Africa.African journal of primary health care & family medicine · 2025Article
- Optimization of the vertical transmission prevention program in Guinea: impact of the improvement plan on performance indicators at large-cohort sites.AIDS research and therapy · 2024Review
- Patient perspective on the elimination mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B in Bali, Indonesia: a qualitative study.BMC public health · 2024Article
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11 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundDespite high rates of HIV testing and enrolment of HIV-positive pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy in Botswana, coverage for HIV-exposed infant (HEI) testing remains suboptimal. Many factors can contribute to suboptimal HEI testing rates, but they have seldom been thoroughly investigated in Botswana. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of HIV-positive mothers on the barriers and facilitators of HEI testing to inform interventions to promote HEI testing in Botswana.
methodsWe conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with HIV-positive mothers who gave birth in 2016 at the three largest public hospitals in Botswana. FGDs were held in Maun, Francistown, and Gaborone from September 2019 to March 2020. The maximum variation sampling method was used to select the participants using information that was abstracted from birth registers and other medical records at the study sites. Mothers were asked to describe their HEI testing experiences, what made it easy or difficult for them to return the HEI for testing, and what needs to be done to improve HEI testing in Botswana. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data.
resultsFifteen FGDs with 142 mothers (aged 21-52 years) were held. Participants identified several facilitators to HEI testing, including a mother with adequate knowledge of PMTCT, intensive tracking of HEI by healthcare workers (HCWs), positive attitudes of HCWs toward clients, and social support from significant others. Staff shortages at health care facilities, frequent stock-outs of HIV test kits, fear of stigma, fear of positive test results for the child, and transportation challenges were identified as key barriers to HEI testing. Increasing staffing at healthcare facilities, having adequate supplies of HIV test kits, enhanced HEI tracking, easing access to HEI testing services in rural areas, and providing quality PMTCT education were among the proposed interventions to promote HEI testing.
conclusionOptimizing HEI testing in Botswana will require multi-level interventions at the policy, health system, community, interpersonal, and individual levels.
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