Roles of Social Determinants of Health in Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria

Abstract

Safeguarding Nigerians from further HIV/AIDS’ scourge through elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) is an urgent national importance following a report that Nigeria has more HIV-infected babies than anywhere in the world which could be adjudged as unpleasant distinction (Cohen et al., 2018; Alaka, 2021). This study investigated the relationships between married couples’ attitude towards elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS and social determinants of health in Ebonyi State. A sample of 360 participants (56% = males, 44% = females), age ranged between 23 and 52 (M = 37.5; SD = 3.42) years were selected. The participants completed self-report measure of social determinants of health defined in social support, educational levels, types of occupation, location, and accessibility of healthcare services; and rated their attitude towards EMTCT of HIV/AIDS on a bipolar adjective continuum with five points. The test of relationship showed that there were significant relationships; among educational level, types of occupation, location and attitude towards EMTCT of HIV/AIDS. Also, there were significant relationship among social support, availability of healthcare services and attitude towards EMTCT of HIV/AIDS. Further, social determinant of health contributed positively and significantly to attitude towards EMTCT, F(1, 354) = 6.23,  P < .001. Improving attitude towards EMTCT through social determinants of health among married couples will ensure reduction of high rate of HIV-infected babies in Nigeria.