Determining the level of non-booking for antenatal care and associated barriers as well as risk for mother to child transmission of HIV among pregnant women in Chitungwiza city, Zimbabwe

Abstract

PMTCT is an effective strategy in preventing paediatric HIV infection. In Zimbabwe the success of PMTCT is entirely dependent on pregnant women accessing antenatal care services and through that, getting linked to PMTCT. Failure of pregnant women to book for antenatal care through the course of pregnancy presents a missed opportunity for PMTCT and a high risk for maternal HIV transmission. It is therefore important to determine the burden of unbooked women and the factors associated with it, if elimination of maternal HIV transmission is to be achieved in the country.