Factors associated with knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among reproductive-age women in Indonesia: a multilevel analysis

Maternal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) commonly occurs from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding which accounts for almost all the new HIV infections among children aged 0–14 years. Despite major efforts and progress in controlling and preventing HIV, it continues to pose a great public health threat, especially in Indonesia. This study assessed the factors associated with the knowledge of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV among reproductive-age women in Indonesia.

This study used data from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS). We sampled 39,735 reproductive-age women (15–49 years) for analysis. Using Stata version 16.0, multilevel logistic regression models were fitted, and the results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with their confidence intervals (CIs).

The study found that 72% of women had knowledge of MTCT of HIV. Women who were aged between 45 and 49 years (aOR = 1.65, 95%CI = 1.46–1.88) had higher odds of knowledge of MTCT of HIV than those aged 15–19 years. Women who attained higher education (aOR = 2.92, 95%CI = 2.06–4.15) had increased odds of knowledge of MTCT of HIV than those with no formal education. Women who had four children (aOR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05–1.35) had higher odds of knowledge of MTCT of HIV than nulliparous women. Women who frequently read newspapers/magazines (aOR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.06–1.25) and frequently used the internet almost every day (aOR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.19–1.38) had higher odds of knowledge of MTCT of HIV than those who did not read newspapers/magazines and non-users of internet, respectively. Women within the richer (aOR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.02–1.20) and the richest (aOR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.04–1.25) wealth quintile higher odds of knowledge of MTCT of HIV than those in the poorest wealth quantile. Women who resided in rural areas were less likely to have knowledge of MTCT of HIV (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.74–0.86) than those in urban settlements.

Knowledge of MTCT of HIV was slightly above average. The study findings on the factors associated with knowledge of MTCT of HIV provide evidence for policymakers and clinicians to utilize in the quest to eliminate MTCT of HIV among children. We recommend that awareness programs should consider the key findings from this study when delivering public education or when developing interventions to improve women’s knowledge on MTCT of HIV.