Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41703666›Full record

SynthesisSystematic reviews2026

Knowledge of reproductive-age women about mother-to-child transmission of HIV and associated factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abebe Gedefaw Belete, Mulugeta Shegaze Shimbre, Yalem Tsegay Assfaw, Lovel Fornah, Abakundana Nsenga Ariston Gabriel, Yenus Ibrahim, Yalemzer Agegnehu, Tsehaynew Kasse, Getahun Koira, Gerard Bikorimana and 1 more

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Systematic reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Abebe Gedefaw BeleteDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China. abebegedefaw12@gmail.com.
Mulugeta Shegaze ShimbreDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China. mulsheg@yahoo.com.ORCID 0000-0001-5633-1309
Yalem Tsegay AssfawDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
Lovel FornahDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
Abakundana Nsenga Ariston GabrielDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
Yenus IbrahimDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia, 21, Ethiopia.
Yalemzer AgegnehuDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia, 21, Ethiopia.
Tsehaynew KasseDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia, 21, Ethiopia.
Getahun KoiraObstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
Gerard BikorimanaSchool of Governance, Development and Society, College of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
Wei MaDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionDespite significant efforts to manage and prevent HIV, knowledge gaps persist regarding mother-to-child transmission of HIV among women of reproductive age. Previous studies, limited in scope and producing inconsistent findings, have hindered the development of effective policies and interventions. This study aims to provide updated information on MTCT knowledge among women of reproductive age and identify associated factors globally.

methodA systematic search was conducted across four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Library). The quality of the included studies was assessed using the JBI tool. Extracted data characteristics were presented in tables and forest plots. The random effects model was applied, and statistical heterogeneity was assessed using Higgins I

resultA total of 37 studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled knowledge of women regarding mother-to-child transmission of HIV was 52% (45%, 59%). Subgroup analysis by study year showed lower knowledge in studies conducted before 2015 compared to those after. Egger's test indicated no publication bias and sensitivity analysis confirmed no single study impact on the pooled estimate. Significant factors associated with knowledge included place of residence, education, wealth status, media exposure, antenatal visits, and HIV testing history.

conclusionKnowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among reproductive-age women globally remains insufficient. Our findings show that urban residence, higher education, wealth status, media exposure, antenatal care visits, and HIV testing are significantly linked to better knowledge. Targeted interventions for rural, uneducated, and socioeconomically disadvantaged women are needed to improve awareness and prevent MTCT of HIV. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42024620895.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHIV InfectionsInfectious Disease Transmission, VerticalPregnancy Complications, InfectiousFemaleHumansPregnancyAge womenKnowledgeMother To Child transmission of HIVMTCTReproductiveSystematic review and meta-analysis

Identifiers

PMID41703666
PMCPMC13014823

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.