Symbolic image of mother and child with HIV awareness ribbon.

HIV Prevention for New Mothers: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

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Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"A Study on Puerperal Women's Understanding and Behaviors Regarding HIV Infection and Its Prevention."


The infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS presents significant public health challenges globally. In Ceará, Brazil, and worldwide, these issues are increasingly prevalent, affecting both men and women. The epidemiological profile of HIV/AIDS has shifted over the past two decades, expanding beyond traditionally recognized risk groups to affect the general population, marked by heterosexualization, feminization, and increased prevalence among those with fewer resources.

Given that many women affected by HIV are of reproductive age, preventing vertical transmission—transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding—is particularly important. Effective preconception care is essential for determining a mother's HIV status, educating her, and providing necessary preventive care. This approach relies on the early identification of infected pregnant women.

Alongside preconception care, prenatal care is crucial for preventing virus transmission. Guidance and counseling before and after HIV testing are vital. These interventions require building trust, establishing open communication between healthcare providers and clients, using accessible language, maintaining confidentiality, and respecting individual differences. However, access to timely HIV testing for pregnant women remains a challenge, often resulting in delays or complete absence of testing. Therefore, providing information about HIV prevention and detection during the puerperal period is essential to prevent vertical transmission.

Key Findings: Knowledge Gaps and Attitudes Towards HIV

Symbolic image of mother and child with HIV awareness ribbon.

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 278 women in a rooming-in maternity setting in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, during November and December 2011. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of puerperal women concerning HIV infection and its prevention. Data was collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire to assess these factors.

The study assessed knowledge by evaluating the women's ability to recall specific facts and apply them to solve problems or understand concepts. Attitudes were defined as opinions, feelings, preconceptions, and beliefs regarding HIV, while practices were evaluated based on decision-making related to preventive actions. The following are some of the key metrics used:

  • Adequate Knowledge: Defined as mentioning having heard about HIV, reporting at least three forms of virus transmission, and at least three forms of prevention.
  • Inadequate Knowledge: Defined as either never having heard of HIV or not being able to cite at least three appropriate ways of transmission and prevention.
  • Inadequate Attitude: Characterized by recognizing that becoming HIV-infected is unlikely or expressing no opinion, disregarding the necessity of health services offering HIV testing, and overlooking the need for condom use if one partner is HIV positive.
  • Adequate Attitude: Defined as recognizing susceptibility to HIV, understanding the necessity of HIV testing in health services and during pregnancy, and recognizing the need for condom use if one partner is HIV positive.
  • Adequate Practice: Defined as having done an HIV test during pregnancy or rapid testing in maternity and consistently using condoms in all relationships.
  • Inadequate Practice: Defined as not undergoing HIV testing or rapid testing and not using condoms consistently.
The study revealed significant gaps in knowledge and attitudes among the participants. The age range of the women was 13 to 43 years, with a significant portion being adolescents (33.5%). Most participants (71.9%) were from Fortaleza, and the majority had 8 to 11 years of education. A significant percentage (54.7%) had a family income of up to one minimum wage. Marital status indicated that most women (74.7%) were in stable unions or married.

Implications for Nursing and Public Health

The study highlights the critical need for enhanced health education and nursing care during the puerperal cycle. Addressing the misconceptions and gaps in knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention is essential for reducing the risk of vertical transmission and improving maternal and child health outcomes. The nursing team plays a crucial role in promoting these changes by improving the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly is HIV and why is it so important to understand, especially for new mothers?

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Understanding HIV is important, especially for women of reproductive age, because it can be transmitted from a mother to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding. This is known as vertical transmission. Preventing vertical transmission requires identifying a mother's HIV status early through preconception and prenatal care, providing education, and offering preventive care. Addressing knowledge gaps is crucial for reducing the risk of infection.

2

What does 'vertical transmission' mean, and why is preventing it so vital?

Vertical transmission is the transmission of HIV from a mother to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding. Preventing this type of transmission is important because it directly impacts the health of children and the overall prevalence of HIV. Effective strategies include preconception care, prenatal care, and providing information during the puerperal period. Early identification of infected pregnant women and interventions such as guidance, counseling, and building trust between healthcare providers and clients are essential to prevent vertical transmission and improve maternal and child health outcomes. Consistent condom use, where appropriate, is also very important.

3

What is considered 'adequate knowledge' about HIV, and why does it matter?

Adequate knowledge about HIV includes knowing that you have heard about HIV, knowing at least three ways the virus can be transmitted, and knowing at least three ways to prevent it. Adequate knowledge is significant because it empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health and take preventive actions. Without adequate knowledge, people may underestimate their risk of HIV infection and may not take necessary steps to protect themselves and others. Improving HIV prevention and detection relies on enhancing peoples knowledge.

4

What does it mean to have an 'adequate attitude' towards HIV, and why is it important?

An adequate attitude towards HIV involves recognizing one's own susceptibility to HIV, understanding the importance of HIV testing in healthcare services and during pregnancy, and recognizing the need for condom use if one partner is HIV-positive. Adequate attitudes are crucial because they influence behavior and promote proactive engagement in HIV prevention efforts. An inadequate attitude, on the other hand, is characterized by a belief that becoming HIV-infected is unlikely or expressing no opinion, disregarding the necessity of health services offering HIV testing, and overlooking the need for condom use if one partner is HIV positive. Promoting positive attitudes can improve health outcomes and reduce HIV transmission.

5

What is considered 'adequate practice' when it comes to HIV prevention, and why is it so important?

Adequate practice in the context of HIV prevention means having an HIV test during pregnancy or rapid testing in maternity and consistently using condoms in all relationships. Consistent condom use, in particular, is a cornerstone of prevention. Adequate practice is important because it translates knowledge and positive attitudes into tangible actions that reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Inadequate practice, such as not undergoing HIV testing or not using condoms consistently, increases the risk of infection. Encouraging and supporting individuals to adopt adequate practices is essential for effective HIV prevention.

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