What motivates women?: following the PMTCT programme in Namibia

The objectives of the study were to determine the profile of mothers who join the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programme and to describe the factors that motivate or de-motivate the mothers to stick to or drop out of the PMTCT programme. Qualitative and quantitative research designs were used with exploratory and descriptive strategies. The study population included all the HIV/AIDS-positive mothers registered with the PMTCT programme at Katutura State Hospital and who delivered at the same hospital between March 2002 and December 2003. A total of 30 mothers were conveniently selected and interviewed as they came for their follow-up visits. A questionnaire was used for the data collection. In-depth interview was conducted with two cases (both mothers who did not keep to the follow-up visits given). The results show that factors motivating mothers to stick to the programme included the health of their children, ensuring they stand a chance of receiving antiretroviral treatment and wanting their children to live longer. Factors identified as de-motivating mothers included family members who are still in denial that HIV/AIDS exists, stigma attached to people living with the disease, financial problems and domestic violence. All mothers stated that the counselling and education given during antenatal care influenced their decision about whether to adhere to the programme. Most of the respondents stated that the support groups available for HIV/AIDS-infected persons are few, and there is no proper channel of communication and referral between the hospital and these groups. The researchers concluded that the factors influencing the adherence of mothers to the follow-up visits are both sociocultural and health related. The Ministry of Health and Social Services also needs to formalize the referral system with all local organizations working in the HIV/AIDS areas.