Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (Sep 2024)

Predictors of Mothers Living with HIV Uptake of HIV Early Infant Diagnosis Services in Iringa District, Tanzania

  • Happy Alfayo Kyando MPH,
  • Novatus Tesha MA, PhD candidate,
  • Emmy Metta PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23259582241272007
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23

Abstract

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Background Uptake of HIV early infant diagnosis (HEID) among HIV-exposed infants is the key to timely initiation of Antiretroviral Treatment (ART). However, despite the availability of HEID services in Tanzania, its uptake is low. We aimed to determine predictors of mothers living with HIV’ with HIV-exposed infants’ uptake of HEID services in Iringa District, Tanzania . Methods A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Iringa District from May to June 2023. Mothers with HIV-exposed infants were recruited in the study through a multistage sampling technique and interviewed using pre-tested structured questions. Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine potential predictors of HEID uptake. Results A total of 309 mothers with HIV-exposed infants participated in the study. About 78.3% of the HIV-exposed infants had initial DNA PCR for HEID within 6 weeks of age and 86.1% within 8 weeks. Most mothers had high perceived benefits on uptake of HEID with a mean score of 4.3, high perceived self-efficacy with a mean score of 3.8 and 2.7 perceived risk of HIV infection on their HIV-exposed infants on the 5 scale Likert scale with 5 showing the highest perceived benefit, self-efficacy and risk. High perceived self-efficacy and being a businesswoman were the predictors of uptake of HEID. The odds of self-efficacy on the uptake of HEID by 2.4 times (aOR 2.4 95% CI 1.6–3.2) within 6 weeks of age and 1.9 (aOR 1.9 95% CI 1.3-2.7) within 8 weeks. The odds of being a businesswoman were 0.4 for 6 weeks and 0.3 for 8 weeks (aOR 0.4 95% CI 0.2-0.8) and (aOR 0.3 95% CI 0.1-0.8) respectively. Conclusion Over three-quarters of the HIV-exposed infants had initial DNA PCR for HEID testing as recommended. Perceived self-efficacy was the main factor influencing HEID uptake. These findings highlight the need for strengthening HIV-positive mother's self-efficacy for improved uptake of HEID services.