Factors affecting Compliance in the uptake of Zidovudine(AZT) and Nevirapine (NVP) By HIV Seropositive Expectant women delivering out side a health facility in Lusaka

Abstract

The chances of Vertical transmission of HIV can be reduced if expectant HIV seropositive mothers complied with the uptake of AZT/NVP given during pregnancy. Zidovudine given to expectant mothers in their third trimester of pregnancy and Nevirapine given intrapartum to mother when labor begins and postpartum to baby reduce the chance of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV. However, some studies have revealed that many HIV seropositive expectant women do not comply with the uptake of AZT/NVP. It is observed that many of these women often forced by circumstances beyond their control deliver outside a health facility. It appears that many of these women do not return to the clinic in order to avoid health staff that may ascertain the drug given was taken. This behavior contradicts the need that an HIV positive expectant mother takes AZT/NVP to reduce chances of infecting the baby with HIV during delivery. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of factors affecting compliance in the uptake of AZT/NVP by HIV seropositive expectant mothers and to determine whether these factors influenced Mother's choice for place of delivery. This study was cross sectional and was conducted at six government health centers in Lusaka Urban. The targeted population was 674 HIV seropositive of expectant women in their third trimester of pregnancy who received AZT/NVP during antenatal clinic services.