Research Article

Socio-demographic, Reproductive and Behavioural Determinants of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Healthcare Centres in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains an important public health concern among pregnant women because of its implications for maternal health and mother-to-child transmission. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of HIV infection among pregnant women attending Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA), Rivers State, Nigeria. A facility-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 373 pregnant women attending six selected PHCs in 2025. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and antenatal records. HIV status was obtained from documented antenatal HIV test results. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. Pearson’s chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used for bivariate and multivariable analyses, respectively, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Sixteen of the 373 participants were HIV-positive, giving an overall prevalence of 4.29% (95% CI: 2.30–6.28). In the adjusted analysis, primary education was associated with higher odds of HIV infection compared with tertiary education (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.11–4.18; p = 0.024), while students had lower odds compared with unemployed women (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.17–0.96; p = 0.039). Women earning ₦71,000–₦100,000 and ₦151,000–₦200,000 had higher odds than those earning >₦200,000. Smaller family sizes were associated with lower odds of infection than households with ≥5 members. Among reproductive characteristics, only second-trimester gestation remained significant after adjustment (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09–0.94; p = 0.039). Behaviourally, absence of previous voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and previous sexually transmitted infection (STI) history were independently associated with HIV infection. These findings support continued integration of HIV testing, STI services, health education, and appropriate linkage to HIV care within antenatal services at PHC level.

Authors affiliation:

Blessing Tamunoitekena Biebuma (ORCID): Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Nnanna Victor Onyekwere (ORCID): Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Clement Kevin Edet (ORCID): Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Owhonka Aleruchi (ORCID): Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Amaka Azubike Ogba (ORCID): Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Anthony Ike Wegbom (ORCID): Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

How To Cite: B.T. Biebuma, N.V. Onyekwere, C.K. Edet, O. Aleruchi, A.A. Ogba, A.I. Wegbom. Socio-demographic, Reproductive and Behavioural Determinants of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Healthcare Centres in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of Public Health and Environmental Research, 2(2):130–142, 2026. https://doi.org/10.58612/jpher2214