Prior Knowledge and Antiretroviral Therapy Prophylaxis are Associated with Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS in Kumasi, Ghana

Background: Mother to child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), persists despite the availability of effective prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) strategies. In Ghana, there is limited data on prevalence and the associated factors of mother to child transmission of HIV existing. The PMTCT strategies in Ghana has not been evaluated. This study therefore assessed the prevalence, knowledge and factors associated with mother to child transmission of HIV in Kumasi, Ghana. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and Aninwaa medical Centre and fertility clinic from May 2023 to September 2023. A total of 103 women living with HIV and have ever given birth were sampled. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, clinical, lifestyle, knowledge and MTCT transmission rates among study participants. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0 and GraphPad Prism version 8.0. p -values of < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval were considered significant. Results: The prevalence of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) was 21.4%. MTCT was more prevalent among the age group 36-45 years (50.0%), who had primary education (40.9%) and were married (63.6%) with 2-3 children (50.0%). In the logistic regression model, higher age groups 36- 45 (aOR: 20.1, 95% CI (1.45-278.87); p = 0.025), 46-55 (aOR: 18.33, 95% CI (1.03-325.57); p = 0.048) and 56-74 (aOR: 76.42, 95% CI (1.87-3131.45); p = 0.022) were independent predictors of MTCT. Moreover, mothers not knowing their HIV status prior to pregnancy (cOR=9.13) CI; (3.01-27.68), ( p < 0.001) and children not receiving ART prophylaxis (cOR=8.25), CI; (2.91-23.40), ( p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with MTCT. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of MTCT (21.4%) and is influenced by higher age group of 36-74 years, no knowledge of HIV status prior to pregnancy as well as children who do not receive ART prophylaxis. This study’s findings call for an increased awareness on the knowledge of MTCT, availability of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis for expectant mothers and enhanced HIV testing and treatment for women of reproductive age, including self-testing.