Assessment of factors influencing low male's involvement in prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS a case study of Muhimbili national hospital in Dar es Salaam
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Date
2015
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Hubert Kairuki Memorial University
Abstract
The study aimed at assessing the factors influencing the low involvement of men in
prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programmes in the Ilala
district, Tanzania. The factors studies were grouped as knowledge and awareness, socio
cultural, programmatic and demographic characteristics. The study employed a case study
design with questionnaires, focus group discussion and documentation review as the main
data collection methods. This study used both Qualitative and Quantitative approaches and
127 men were interviewed. The major findings of the study revealed that, about 88 percent
of the respondents they had knowledge that HIV positive mother could transmit the virus to
her baby through breastfeeding and only 9 percent did not know and 3 percent of the
respondent were not sure. Again, about 65 percent of the respondents were aware that,
MTCT can occur during pregnancy, 30 percent did not know and 5 percent were not sure.
The study also fm a culture have an influence to the involvement of men in the program.
The results show that, about 67 percent thought women should get permission from their
male before undergoing a test for PMTCT. On the other hands, 70 percent of the
respondents did not think that men who accompanied their female partner to PMTCT clinics
were bewitched. Programmatic factors found that, about 65 percent of the respondents did
not think men should have male only PMTCT clinic and about 70 percent of the total
respondents did not think that at the PMTCT clinics men should be attended by male health
workers only. Among the demographic characteristics, age and level of education were
positively associated with an increase in the level of involvement, while the duration of the
relationship with the female partner was negatively associated with the level of men
involvement. There is great need to design culturally appropriate and gender sensitive health
promotion interventions that can address the reasons why men are afraid of HIV Testing and
Counseling (HTC). The study further recommended that, in order to improve men's
involvement in PMTCT the knowledge and awareness about PMTCT information should be
given to all men and in particular to those in relationship with women in reproductive age.
This information could be provided through couple concealing or campaigns to sensitize
men to the issue. PMTCT clinics should be made friendlier to men and service provider
should ensure that all efforts are made to involve men from the beginning in every PMTCT
intervention.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Master of Social Work of the Hurbert Kairuki Memorial University
Keywords
PMTCT, HIV positive men, Ilala muicipality
Citation
Ngwahi, M. A., 2015. Assessment of factors influencing low male's involvement in prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/aids a case study of Muhimbili national hospital; Dar es salaam. HKMU