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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
"it is her responsibility": Partner involvement in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV programmes, northern Tanzania
Journal of the International AIDS Society, Volume 14, No. 1, Article 21, Year 2011
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Description
Background: Partner involvement has been deemed fundamental in prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) programmes, but is difficult to achieve. This study aimed to explore acceptability of the PMTCT programme components and to identify structural and cultural challenges to male involvement. Methods. The study was conducted during 2007-2008 in rural and urban areas of Moshi in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. Mixed methods were used, and included focus group discussions with fathers and mothers, in-depth interviews with fathers, mothers and health personnel, and a survey of 426 mothers bringing their four-week-old infants for immunization at five reproductive and child health clinics. Results: Routine testing for HIV of women at the antenatal clinic was highly acceptable and appreciated by men, while other programme components, notably partner testing, condom use and the infant feeding recommendations, were met with continued resistance. Very few men joined their wives for testing and thus missed out on PMTCT counselling. The main barriers reported were that women did not have the authority to request their husbands to test for HIV and that the arena for testing, the antenatal clinic, was defined as a typical female domain where men were out of place. Conclusions: Deep-seated ideas about gender roles and hierarchy are major obstacles to male participation in the PMTCT programme. Empowering women remains a huge challenge. Empowering men to participate by creating a space within the PMTCT programme that is male friendly should be feasible and should be highly prioritized for the PMTCT programme to achieve its potential. © 2011 Falnes et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Falnes, Eli Fjeld
Norway, Bergen
Universitetet I Bergen
Moland, Karen Marie I.
Norway, Bergen
Høgskolen I Bergen
Tylleskär, Thorkild
Norway, Bergen
Universitetet I Bergen
de Paoli, Marina Manuela
Norway, Oslo
Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies
Msuya, Sia Emmanueli
Tanzania, Moshi
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College
Engebretsen, Ingunn Marie Stadskleiv
Norway, Bergen
Universitetet I Bergen
Statistics
Citations: 128
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1758-2652-14-21
e-ISSN:
17582652
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Quantitative
Mixed-methods
Study Locations
Tanzania
Participants Gender
Male
Female