Factors affecting the levels of male involvement in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in Mbeya city

Abstract

The dissertation aimed to assess factors affecting the levels of male involvement in PMTCT of RIV services in Mbeya City. The descriptive cross-sectional study explored also the association between the various barriers males encounter and the optimum responsibilities required for male involvement in PMTCT of RIV services. The study was conducted in July 2009 in Mbeya city using a quantitative method, namely face-to-face structured questionnaire. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 384 males, married or cohabiting aged 18 to 60 years residing in the catchments areas in Mbeya city. Results showed that 317 (83.0%) of respondents had a high level of knowledge on MTCT of HIV. The respondents 219 (73.5%) with knowledge on transmission of RIV from MTCT during pregnancy, had tested for RIV together with their wives/partners. The respondents 138 (36.0%) were optimally involved in PMTCT services in Mbeya city. The findings revealed that a smaller number of the married 59 (33.9%) and cohabiting 79 (37.6%) respondents were optimally involved in PMTCT services. The socio-cultural and economic factors, individual related and service provision factors were found to hinder males utilising PMTCT of RIV services to the optimum level. It is recommended that MORSW and other stakeholders should continue disseminating health promotion materials, advocacy campaigns on male involvement in PMTCT program to reach household level, targeting males. All these measures will ultimately lead to changes in males' attitude towards their involvement in PMTCT. Mbeya regional authority should utilize influential leaders of the communities in collaboration with NGOs to formulate and disseminate context specific and cultural sensitive messages on socio-cultural issues about PMTCT. ANCIPMTCT clinics should be friendlier and supportive to males and service providers should ensure efforts are made to involve males wholly in PMTCT implementation