Factors associated with male involvement in elimination of mother to child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV during antenatal care visist in Lukulu district.
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Date
2019
Authors
Mbumwae, Nawa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Male partner involvement is critical in programs for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (EMTCT) in curbing paediatric HIV infections. However, the level of male involvement in EMTCT and associated factors are not well known in Lukulu. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with male involvement in elimination of mother-to child-transmission of HIV during antenatal care visits in Lukulu District. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October and November, 2017. A total of 388 men aged above 18 years with children between the ages 0 and 11 months were sampled from 4 catchment areas in Lukulu district in the western region of Zambia using stratified and simple random sampling procedures. Data were collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaires. Data was entered in Epi data software and exported to STATA version 15 for Analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine significant associations between male involvement in EMTCT during antenatal care visits and independent variables.
The mean age of respondents was 34 years with a 7 year standard deviation. About half of the respondents 213/388 (55%) were involved in EMTCT during antenatal care visits. A one-year increase in age was associated with an increased chance of male involvement in EMTCT during antenatal care visits (aOR: 104: 95% CI, 1.01-1.08,). Married men were more likely (aOR: 3.10: 95% CI, 1.35- 7.10) to be involved in EMTCT during antenatal care visits than single men. Men
in employment were more likely (aOR: 2.40: 95% CI, 1.34-3.98,) to be involved in EMTCT during antenatal care visits compared to unemployed men. Men residing in urban areas were less likely to be involved in EMTCT during antenatal care visits (aOR: 0.41: 95% CI, 0.19-0.87) compared to those who reside in rural areas. This study established that male partner involvement in EMTCT is low in Lukulu. Only about half of males attended EMTCT during antenatal care visits. Several factors seem to influence male involvement in EMTCT during antenatal care visits including age, residence marriage, and employment status. This finding suggests need for intensifying community outreach services and broadening antenatal and EMTCT services to every weekday.