Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine whether antenatal mothers in Sikkim have adequate knowledge about awareness, attitude, and preventive practices regarding HIV infection. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using structured questionnaire. 220 Antenatal mothers attending the outpatient department of Central Referral Hospital of Sikkim were taken for the study for a period of 1 year from April 2011 to April 2012. Questionnaire form filled by pregnant women during their first antenatal visit was the source of data for this study. Systematic sampling technique was used where every alternate pregnant women registering for ANC visit were voluntarily recruited into the study. RESULTS: 2.27 % (5) women had not heard about HIV. 84 % (38) women had the knowledge that HIV was related to STI, while 50 % (110) did not. Television was the best method of increasing the knowledge (48 %). 68 % (150) of the women were aware about mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV during antenatal period. Only 2.66 % (6) women knew that HIV can be transmitted to child through breast milk. 90 % (198) knew that HIV is spread by having unsafe sex, 48 % (106) women knew using condoms would protect against it. 69.4 % (153) women wanted partner testing, and 84 % (185) of women consented that all pregnant women should be tested for HIV. CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed high levels of knowledge, positive attitude, and preventive practices regarding HIV; however, this population lacked knowledge about MTCT and its prevention.