THE CONTRIBUTION OF MOTHER SUPPORTING GROUPS IN IMPROVING THE PREVENTION OF MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION SERVICE:A CASE OF SOUTH GONDAR AND WEST GOJAM ZONES, NORTH WEST ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Mother support group (MSG) has the greater contribution for HIV positive mothers uptake of PMTCT services and it is used to reduce MTCT by empowering HIV positive mothers by addressing information and improving HIV positive mothers living condition. This study project was conducted South Gondar and West Gojam Zones, Data were collected by the quantitatively and qualitatively from 10 MSGs of 10 PMTCT health centers of 10 woreda health centers.The participants were 228 MSG members and 108 health and related professionals participated quantitatively. During data collection quality control and ethical consideration were taken into account and Data were analyzed by version SPSS 20. Regarding to the data, 92.5% addressed PMTCT information, 94.3% MSG members contributed to improve HIV positive mothers’ PMTCT service uptake. 92.1% of MSG members responded that there are factors to improve the uptake of PMTCT service. The relationship between, MSG after a member factors affecting HIV positive women Pearson correlation coefficient relation of MSG member is negatively correlated with r = -0.046. The relations between their neighbors and families have not been as before have problems after they become MSG members. Distance from their residence to the health centers, stigma and discriminations are expressed as an obstacles and make gaps, between MSG members and PMTCT service. There are no MSGs at health post level and health extension workers do not engagedo actively on MSG up take of PMTCT service. The results of the research,Mother support groups have an essential role in the uptake of PMTCT services especially for mothersliving with HIV and AIDS in the form of addressing information, improve uptake of PMTCT service and improve the quality of life of HIV positive mothers, and there are factors affecting MSGs contribution in improve the PMTCT service uptake of HIV positive mothers. Based on this finding, it was recommended thatHealth sectors and concerned bodies will be done on: MSG members use PMTCT service in health centers. This should be sustainable and replicated at the health post level, Contribution of MSG on the up take of PMTCT service should be scale up, Factors affecting the HIV positive mothers’ uptake of PMTCT service that make gaps between MSG and PMTCT service should be resolved.