Abstract
BackgroundGlobally, male involvement has been identified as a priority target area to be strengthened in the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. However, there are limited studies on husband involvement in the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess male involvement in the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and associated factors among males whose wives gave birth in the last six months before the survey in Enebsiesarmider district, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA Community-based cross-sectional study was employed to assess male involvement in the prevention of mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and associated factors in Enebsiesarmider District, Northwest Ethiopia. The study was conducted from February 10–30, 2018. A total of 525 participants were involved in the study. A stratified cluster sampling method was used to recruit study participants. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered using the epi Data software and exported to SPPS for analysis. Descriptive statistics including mean, a proportion were used to describe study variables. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to describe variables with the outcome variable.ResultOverall male involvement in PMTCT was found to be 26.1% [95%CI, 22.1–29.5]. Respondents who have attended secondary education and above were more likely get involved in PMTCT than who have no formal education [AOR 2.45, 95%CI, 1.47–4.11], Respondents who have good knowledge on PMTCT [AOR 2.57, 95%CI, 1.58–4.18], good knowledge on ANC [AOR 2.10, 95%CI, 1.28–3.44], low cultural barriers [AOR 2.20, 95%CI, 1.34–3.63] low health system barriers [AOR 2.40, 95%CI, 1.37–4.20] were variables that significantly increase male involvement in PMTCT practices.ConclusionMale involvement in PMTCT was found to be low in the study area. Therefore, the district health office in collaboration with local health care providers shall design strategies for enhancing male involvement through creating a husband’s knowledge regarding the merit of prevention of mother to child transmission through the provision of adequate information for all male partners at ANC clinic is recommended.
Highlights
Male involvement has been identified as a priority target area to be strengthened in the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV)
Male involvement in PMTCT was found to be low in the study area
Male involvement in sexual and reproductive health has recently been recognized as new strategy for enhancing maternal and child health by playing a role in preventing women’s risk of acquiring HIV, and in terms of her utilization of the PMTCT program: for the mother to test for HIV, to return for the result, for the couple to use condoms, to receive medication, and to increase adherence to proper infant feeding practices [7, 8]
Summary
Male involvement has been identified as a priority target area to be strengthened in the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. Male involvement in sexual and reproductive health has recently been recognized as new strategy for enhancing maternal and child health by playing a role in preventing women’s risk of acquiring HIV, and in terms of her utilization of the PMTCT program: for the mother to test for HIV, to return for the result, for the couple to use condoms, to receive medication, and to increase adherence to proper infant feeding practices [7, 8]. Ethiopia has adopted the global target for PMTCT which is nullifying mother to child transmission by the year 2030 [9]. For the aforementioned ambitious goal, male involvement is highly demanded especially in low and middle-income countries where the community is patriarchal
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