Preventive Practices Of Hiv/Aids And Factors Influencing Prevention Among Pregnant Women In Obokun Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria

Background: Preventive practices against HIV/AIDS during pregnancy, including HIV testing, ART adherence, and PMTCT protocol compliance, remain critically suboptimal in rural Nigeria, with national PMTCT coverage below 33%. Despite available evidence-based interventions, multiple individual, interpersonal, and systemic factors continue to impede adequate preventive practice among pregnant women in rural Osun State. This study examined HIV/AIDS preventive practices and the factors influencing prevention among pregnant women in Obokun Local Government Area, Osun State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed among 192 pregnant women in Obokun LGA, selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Ethical approval was obtained (OSHREC/PRS/2026/842/01/170). Results: HIV testing uptake was 79.7% among respondents. However, only 53.6% reported receiving PMTCT counselling, 39.6% correctly practiced infant feeding according to PMTCT guidelines, and 68.2% reported consistent ANC attendance. Key factors significantly associated with preventive practice included education level (χ² = 21.47, p < 0.001), knowledge level (χ² = 16.83, p < 0.001), distance to health facility (χ² = 13.29, p = 0.004), and stigma (χ² = 11.74, p = 0.008). Binary logistic regression identified education (OR = 3.74; 95% CI: 1.83–7.64) and knowledge adequacy (OR = 4.12; 95% CI: 2.04–8.31) as the strongest independent predictors of adequate preventive practice. Conclusion: Preventive practices against HIV/AIDS during pregnancy in Obokun LGA are shaped by a complex interplay of educational, informational, geographic, and social factors. Integrated, community-based interventions targeting education, stigma reduction, and facility access are urgently needed to improve PMTCT outcomes in this rural setting.