Kihurugo, Esther G.2024-03-282024-03-282023Kihurugo, E. G. (2023). Determining the uptake of early infant HIV diagnosis, its associated factors, and the readiness of higher-level health care facilities to provide the service in Dodoma region, Tanzania (Master's Dissertation) The University of Dodomahttps://repository.udom.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12661/4462Dissertation ( MSc. Midwifery)Background: Early infant HIV diagnosis is crucial for preventing the transmission of the virus from mother to child and initiating timely treatment. However, the uptake of this essential service remains a global challenge. This study investigated the uptake of early infant HIV diagnosis, its associated factors, and the readiness of higher-level healthcare facilities to provide the service to inform strategies for improving paediatric HIV care. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dodoma Region between May 29, and July 28, 2023 involving 147 caregivers of HIV-exposed infants. Data was collected through a self-administered structured questionnaire, a documentary review, and an observation. Data were analyses using SPSS, descriptive statistics and logistic regression model were used and significant results were declared at p value of less than 0.05. Results: The proportion of the uptake of early infant HIV diagnosis among caregivers in Dodoma Region found to be 111 (76%), and the overall readiness was 125 (85%). The major factors strongly associated with the uptake of early infant HIV diagnosis are as follows: caregivers residing in the district council (AOR=5.568; p-value 0.0078), married caregivers (AOR=4.266; p-value 0.0168), income between Tsh 100000 and Tsh 300000 (AOR=3.649; p-value 0.0330), and caregivers with adequate knowledge on EID (AOR=1.628; p-value 0.0374). However, positive attitude was more likely to be uptake compared to negative attitude, though not statistically significant after controlling for other variables. Conclusion: It was observed that the proportion of early infant HIV diagnosis uptake was high, indicating that most infants received an early HIV diagnosis within six weeks of age. This is a positive development to ensure early initiation of ARV and prevent infant morbidity and mortality from HIV. The availability of DBS kits in health facilities and trained healthcare providers contributed to this proportion. Moreover, the readiness of higher-level healthcare facilities was 85%, which is high. However, 56.5% have no national PMTCT and DBS sample collection guidelines, which are used as references to provide standardized procedures.enInfant with HIVHIV diagnosisHIV in higher-level facilitiesInfant diagnosisHigh-level health careThesis