Challenges and motivators for male partner involvement in prenatal care for HIV testing in a tertiary setting in Brazil

Abstract

Male partner involvement in prenatal care has been shown to improve outcomes for the entire family in low- and middle income countries. In Brazil, partners of pregnant women are encouraged to attend prenatal care for HIV testing. From November 2016 to July 2017, male partners of women delivering at Hospital Conceiçao were interviewed using computer-assisted telephone interviews regarding individual, relationship and system-wide facilitators and barriers to attending prenatal care. Of 403 men interviewed, 202 attended prenatal care and 201 did not. Individual factors that predicted prenatal care attendance included over-estimating the risk of mother to child transmission (AOR 2.13, 95% CI: 1.35–3.4), and endorsing that HIV-infected individuals can live satisfying lives (AOR 7.24, 95% CI: 1.9–47.5). Partnership factors associated with attendance included invitation by partner (AOR 5.6, 95% CI: 2.4–15.6). Systemic factors negatively associated with prenatal care attendance included a history of not being able to afford medical care (AOR 0.3, 95% CI: 0.15–0.6) and identifying work as a barrier to prenatal care attendance (AOR 0.19 95% CI: 0.11–0.31). Partners should be actively invited to prenatal care during flexible flexible hours. Once involved, almost all would accept HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing to protect partners and unborn infants during this vulnerable period.