Acceptance of counseling, hiv testing and prophylactic use of nevirapine in labour and immediate puerperium at Mubimbili National Hospital, Tanzania.

Background: Mother to child transmission contributes significantly to the incidence of HIV in our country. A PMTCT program exists in MNH and some surrounding public hospitals since 2000. In spite of this it has been observed that a substantial number of women delivering at MNH have not had VCT and therefore are not benefit from the PMTCT intervention. Objective: To determine the acceptance of counseling, voluntary HIV testing and prophylactic use of Nevirapine among pregnant women during labour / immediate postpartum at Muhimbili National Hospital. Methodology: Study setting: The labour ward of Muhimbili National Hospital. Study design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study. Study population: All pregnant women delivering at MNH during the study period of 3 months. (12thAugust - 4thNovember 2004) Sample size: 885 women with unknown sero-status and 355 women who were sero-negative more than 3 months prior to r: Data collection: Trained counselors invited all women who met inclusion criteria as they were admitted. Women who accepted counseling were taken to private rooms for discussion and those who consented were screened for HIV using rapid tests. Direct observed therapy with Nevirapine was done. Data was filled in a structured questionnaire