Ngwahi, Maria A.2024-05-092024-05-092015Ngwahi, 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. HKMUhttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1410A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Master of Social Work of the Hurbert Kairuki Memorial UniversityThe 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.enPMTCTHIV positive menIlala muicipalityArticle