An assessment of strategies used to encourage male involvement in antenatal care and women's uptake of PMTCT services in Cameroon

Abstract

Background/Aims: In Sub-Saharan Africa, antenatal clinics that include prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) services remain the primary entry point where women are screened for HIV infection and receive antiretroviral therapy. Male partner involvement has been a strongly promoted strategy to increase women's uptake of PMTCT services. Although a programme for men has been in place for almost 10 years at Mbingo Baptist Hospital, the proportion of men accompanying their partner to PMTCT care visits has never exceeded 20%. This outcome exhibited the need to evaluate present strategies so as to increase male participation in PMTCT care. Methods: A survey was administered to women (n=80) attending the antenatal clinic to obtain their opinions of the strategies being used to encourage male involvement in PMTCT care. Results: Women expressed their support of male participation in PMTCT care but also identified cultural and gender barriers to male involvement. They indicated that invitation letters to men should continue to be provided but that a direct appeal to men would improve their response. All women requested that free HIV testing be continued. The majority did not think that providing rewards or incentives encouraged male participation. Conclusions: Male involvement in PMTCT care is dependent on multiple cultural, social and economic factors. Health care providers and other stakeholders need to make conscious efforts to tailor programmes that will reach out to the community with complete information about PMTCT care options.