Abstract
Abstract
Introduction. Although the majority of registered HIV cases in the Kyrgyz Republic are among men, women face distinct social and structural vulnerabilities. Domestic violence, economic dependence, limited decision-making power, and difficulty in negotiating safe sexual practices with partners significantly increase the risk of HIV infection among women. In manycases, women learn about their HIV status only when registering for antenatal care, highlighting the need to strengthen preventive efforts and raise awareness during family planning and pregnancy. Stigma and discrimination increase women’s fear of society and family and prevent them from seeking help and treatment if they become infected with HIV. Many women with HIV are afraid to openly admit their HIV status and refuse treatment. In these cases, the likelihood of women becoming infected sexually increases. Most women are not sufficiently informed about the prevention of HIV
transmission to the infant. Modern methods of HIV treatment allow working and studying, having a family and healthy children, living a full life. Objective. To assess the level of awareness about HIV infection among pregnant women, young families, and their family members in the Kyrgyz Republic, and to evaluate the impact of ongoing information and educational interventions on improving public awareness regarding the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Material and methods of the study. A cross-sectional research method was used in this study. The questionnaire layout was created in the Google application Forms, interviewers entered data directly into the electronic data base via smartphones. To ensure the reliability of the data collected, the location of the questionnaires was tracked by the GPS navigation of the interviewers’ mobile device. Results and discussion. In order to increase knowledge on HIV infection issues and to form a responsible attitude towards HIV prevention in infants, a two-stage study was conducted in the country. The majority of respondents in both stages of the study were pregnant women and young spouses (28% and 29%); the study included women regardless of the duration of pregnancy, husbands of pregnant women (17%), and mothers-in-law of pregnant women (13%). At both stages of the study, women made up 70% of respondents, and men – 30%. Rural residents, especially women, often lack opportunities to get an education and earn money, which limits their chances of improving their material well-being, which can affect their health. Less than half of the respondents (42%) are unemployed, which is due to the fact that most respondents are women who are currently caring for children or have recently married and have not yet settled in a new place. In addition, women, especially rural residents, most often experience problems with employment. Respondents were asked questions about transmission routes, prevention of vertical transmission, the need for testing pregnant women and their partners for HIV, and treatment against HIV. As a result, respondents’ knowledge of HIV infection improved. Conclusions. In order to achieve better results in informing the general population about prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV issues
(PMTCT), it is necessary to continue to improve PMTCT training modules and continue informing the population, focusing on newly formed young families.