Background: Access and utilization of Prevention of Mother to child
transmission services by the pregnant women in Sudan is very low.
Objective: To explore and analyze the factors that influence access and
utilization of PMTCT services by pregnant women (including those in high
risk groups) in Sudan.
Method: The Andersen model of health seeking behaviour was adopted
and used as a guide for the literature review.
Findings: Socio-cultural factors and health care system factors are more
likely to influence the access and use of the PMTCT services. Pregnant
women who were younger, lowly educated, living in rural areas and
suffering from gender inequalities are less likely to access and use PMTCT
services. Furthermore, staff shortage, lack of supplies, lack of
confidentiality, limited information, HIV-related stigma and gaps identified
in current national PMTCT policy are likely associated with low access and
use of the PMTCT services.
Conclusion and Recommendations: Socio-cultural and health system
factors are important barriers to access and utilization of PMTCT services
in Sudan. It requires raising community awareness about PMTCT, HIV and
AIDS. Further research to identify factors influencing access and use of
PMTCT services in Sudan should be carried out. Also, there is a need to
integrate PMTCT services into existing sexual reproductive health
services, particularly in high HIV prevalence areas. Finally, broadening the
focus of PMTCT services to provide the full range of comprehensive PMTCT
approach with supportive policy in place will be beneficial.