Abstract
BackgroundThe perception of male involvement (MI) in maternal child health services is multifaceted and differs among varying programs and populations. In the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) context, MI includes men’s attendance at antenatal care (ANC) clinics, undertaking an HIV tests within the ANC and financial and psychological support. Contexualising the definition of MI is fundamental in the development of MI in PMTCT policy and interventions. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of men, women and health care workers on male partner involvement in PMTCT services in Malawi.MethodsA qualitative descriptive study was conducted at South Lunzu Health Centre (SLHC) in Blantyre, Malawi from December 2012 to January 2013. We conducted s Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with 6 health care workers and moderated four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) among 18 men and 17 pregnant women attending antenatal care at SLHC. We divided FGDs participants according to sex and age. We digitally recorded all FGDs and KIIs and simultaneously transcribed and translated verbatim into English. We employed thematic analysis to identify codes and themes.ResultsMen and women described MI in PMTCT as either a) Positive participation or b) Negative participation. Positive participation included total involvement of the male partner in PMTCT interventions, reminding the spouse of clinic and treatment schedules, and resource provision. Health care workers described MI as either a) Involvement along the pregnancy continuum or b) Passive Involvement. Participants’ preferred positive involvement of male partners.ConclusionsThere are multiple perceptions of MI in PMTCT with participants preferring positive involvement. There is a need to have a uniform description of MI in PMTCT to optimize development of strategies and interventions that accommodate and optimize MI in PMTCT. A uniform description will be useful in assessing a country’s progress towards achieving MI in PMTCT goals.
Highlights
The perception of male involvement (MI) in maternal child health services is multifaceted and differs among varying programs and populations
The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of men, women and health care workers on male partner involvement in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services in Malawi
This paper focuses on descriptions of MI, which was another objective on this project
Summary
The perception of male involvement (MI) in maternal child health services is multifaceted and differs among varying programs and populations. The International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD, PoA) emphasized the involvement of men in the quest to improve sexual reproductive health and proposed that countries outline the responsibilities, plans and strategies for involving men [3]. Another contrary form of male involvement promotes male dominance, leaving the woman with no decision-making power even regarding her own health issues [4]. In Cameroon, women regarded payment of antenatal and other obstetrical bills as male involvement and did not expect anything beyond that from their partners [10]
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