Knowledge and compliance related to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission guidelines amongst South African healthcare professionals

Abstract

Background: Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) guidelines provide evidence-based protocols to prevent infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from passing from mother-to-child. Regular updates ensure alignment with evolving treatments and best practices. It is therefore essential that all healthcare professionals clearly understand and consistently follow the latest PMTCT guidelines. So far, there seems to be limited research that explored healthcare professionals’ knowledge and practices regarding the PMTCT guidelines in South Africa. Aim: This study aimed to assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge and compliance related to the South African 2023 PMTCT guidelines. Setting: Healthcare professionals involved in antenatal and postnatal care across public and private healthcare facilities in all South Africa’s provinces. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 221 participants (35 doctors, 77 nurses and 109 clinical associates) was conducted over 8 weeks using an online survey distributed via social media. Results: Participants generally demonstrated high knowledge of the PMTCT guidelines, with significantly higher scores among those who had received formal training. Some knowledge deficits, e.g. in HIV testing procedures and infant antiretroviral dosing, remain. Doctors showed significantly higher knowledge scores than nurses and clinical associates. Fewer than half of the participants reported consistent compliance. Conclusion: While knowledge of the PMTCT framework was high, low compliance remains. Contribution: This study provides foundational information on the knowledge of healthcare professionals across various South African provinces about the 2023 PMTCT guidelines, highlights the vital role of clinical associates and stresses the need for consistent and structured PMTCT training.