ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS INFLUENCING WILLINGNESS AND UTILIZATION OF VCT AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN DESSIE TOWN

Background-: HIV has spread throughout the world causing untold suffering and death and
creating profound development challenges. Worldwide African women are the group most
severely affected by the epidemic. Women who are infected by HIV are infecting their
infants in turn. Mother to child transmission is the most common cause of HIV/AIDS in
children less than 15 years of age. Mother to child transmission can occur during pregnancy,
labor and breast-feeding. However the risk of MTCT can be lowered significantly through
comprehensive reproductive health services which include voluntary counseling and testing
for pregnant women, Anti-retroviral prophylaxis and breast feeding counseling.
Objective: - The purpose of this study is to assess factors influencing willingness and
utilization of VCT for PMTCT among pregnant women