Utilization of Prevention of HIV Transmission from Mother to Child Services in Kenya’s Pastoralist Communities of Northern Kenya
Christine O. Ogolla, Timothy C. Okech PhD

Abstract
In many world economies including Kenya, HIV/AIDS is considered as one of the leading cause of deaths. The pandemic is associated with various negative effects including reduction in life expectancy, sluggish economic growth, and deepening of household poverty. In the country, studies reveal continued increase in the number of the HIV infected infants being born despite the concerted efforts by the government in collaboration with other stakeholders to contain MTCT. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors contributing to low utilization of PMTCT services in Kenya’s pastoralist communities by using both primary and secondary data. Data collected was coded, formatted and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Notable findings include low levels of assisted hospital deliveries by a trained health care worker, and low usage of family planning services. Various factors were found to account towards utilization of PMTCT services amongst the pastoralist communities. These included geographical access to health, lack of Knowledge on PMTCT services, availability of quality PMTCT services and information during ante natal and post natal visits, and past experience among other factors. The study also established that uptake of individual PMTCT components were high for HIV counseling and testing but lower for maternal and infant prophylaxis components. Key recommendations made based on the findings include reducing geographical access by for instance introducing mobile clinics; sustained improvement in the provision of health education at both community and service delivery points. Other recommendations included enhanced couple counseling and testing as well as the strengthening the quality of PMTCT services provided at facility level while ensuring provision of minimum package of PMTCT services during the ANC and post natal visits.

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