Roles of private healthcare facilities in post-test counselling and referral for HIV services during antenatal care in South-West Nigeria
1
Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2034
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In Nigeria, an estimated 22% of children acquired HIV from mother-to-child transmission during delivery in 2019, while many pregnant women seek care through private-sector health facilities. This study evaluated the role private-sector health facilities play in post-test counselling and referral for HIV services among pregnant women.
METHODS:
using a structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional facility-based study (protocol id no. OOUTH/HREC/605/2023AP) was conducted among 180 healthcare providers in traditional birth attendant facilities, maternity homes, and private hospitals across three Nigerian states. Data were analyzed with descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means, SDS) and inferential statistics (chi-square, ANOVA, regression) with p-value set at ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS:
most respondents were female (82.2%), aged 20–30 years (30.0%), auxiliary nurses/midwives (61.7%), and traditional birth attendants (43.3%). Over half (56.7%) had training on antenatal care (ANC) for HIV-positive pregnant women, and 94.4% of respondents’ facilities screened for HIV. of those who provided screening, 82.9% had encountered positive HIV results, and 53.5% provided ANC for HIV-positive clients. services included safe childbirth (94.5%), post-test counselling (91.2%), prevention of mother-to-child transmission (85.7%), antiretroviral therapy (56.0%), and infant HIV testing (35.2%). Facilities without anc services (46.5%) immediately referred patients to other health facilities. most facilities with screening services had written counselling procedures (64.7%), Disclosed HIV status immediately (71.8%), and further supported patients with referral services (93.5%). the state of practice, type of facility, and training in anc services were significantly associated with the provision of anc for HIV-positive pregnant women (p < 0.05), while the age, gender, and educational level of respondents were not (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
private-sector health facilities play a critical role in HIV testing, counselling, and referral services for pregnant women in Nigeria. Strengthening training and integrating standard anc protocols could enhance HIV prevention and management outcomes. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s44250-025-00266-y.pdf
In Nigeria, an estimated 22% of children acquired HIV from mother-to-child transmission during delivery in 2019, while many pregnant women seek care through private-sector health facilities. This study evaluated the role private-sector health facilities play in post-test counselling and referral for HIV services among pregnant women.
METHODS:
using a structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional facility-based study (protocol id no. OOUTH/HREC/605/2023AP) was conducted among 180 healthcare providers in traditional birth attendant facilities, maternity homes, and private hospitals across three Nigerian states. Data were analyzed with descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means, SDS) and inferential statistics (chi-square, ANOVA, regression) with p-value set at ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS:
most respondents were female (82.2%), aged 20–30 years (30.0%), auxiliary nurses/midwives (61.7%), and traditional birth attendants (43.3%). Over half (56.7%) had training on antenatal care (ANC) for HIV-positive pregnant women, and 94.4% of respondents’ facilities screened for HIV. of those who provided screening, 82.9% had encountered positive HIV results, and 53.5% provided ANC for HIV-positive clients. services included safe childbirth (94.5%), post-test counselling (91.2%), prevention of mother-to-child transmission (85.7%), antiretroviral therapy (56.0%), and infant HIV testing (35.2%). Facilities without anc services (46.5%) immediately referred patients to other health facilities. most facilities with screening services had written counselling procedures (64.7%), Disclosed HIV status immediately (71.8%), and further supported patients with referral services (93.5%). the state of practice, type of facility, and training in anc services were significantly associated with the provision of anc for HIV-positive pregnant women (p < 0.05), while the age, gender, and educational level of respondents were not (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
private-sector health facilities play a critical role in HIV testing, counselling, and referral services for pregnant women in Nigeria. Strengthening training and integrating standard anc protocols could enhance HIV prevention and management outcomes. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s44250-025-00266-y.pdf
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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