Practical Knowledge and Attitudes of Pregnant Women on HIV/AIDS at the Nianankoro FOMBA Hospital in Segou

Introduction: According to epidemiological surveillance in Mali in 2013, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection is high among pregnant women in the Ségou region. Objective: The aim of our study was to study the knowledge and practical attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS of pregnant women followed in prenatal consultation in the gynecology-obstetrics department of the Nianankoro Fomba hospital in Ségou. Method and material: This was a prospective descriptive cross-sectional study that took place from September 1, 2019 to April 31, 2020. Included in the study were all consenting pregnant women seen in prenatal consultation (CPN) or in labor at the hospital. Results: The seroprevalence of HIV/AIDS in our study was 1.4%. The age group of 20 to 29 years was the most represented in our study with 51.1% of cases with an average of 26.5 years. The pregnant women were housewives in 96.1% of cases. The main source of information for pregnant women on HIV/AIDS was television (44.2%). The best-known mode of transmission was sexual (47.7%) and weight loss was considered the main sign of HIV by 27.5% of the pregnant women questioned. The VH screening rate was inversely proportional to the level of education P=0.062. About 82.3% of pregnant women favored psycho-emotional support for people living with HIV (PV-HIV). The acceptance rate of pregnant women for HIV/AIDS screening was 87.8%. The fear of being stigmatized (46.0%) was the frequent reason for refusing the screening test. Fidelity was cited as the main means of preventing HIV transmission by 35.7% of pregnant women. Conclusion: Our study reveals that the level of knowledge of pregnant women on the modes of transmission and measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS is generally good. However, awareness should always continue to bring the reluctant to take the screening test.