Willingness and participation toward prevention of mother to child transmission among males of reproductive age. a study from Kilimanjaro-Tanzania.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine willingness and participation toward Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) among males of Reproductive age in Hedaru Ward at Same district; Kilimanjaro region. METHODOLOGY A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 138 randomly sampled males of reproductive age at Hedaru Ward in Same District using a semi-structured questionnaire with both closed and open ended questions. RESULTS The result showed that of the 138 respondents, 103(74.6%) were not willing to participate in PMTCT programs by accompanying their couples to the Antenatal Clinics . Also majority of them (61.4%) have never participated in PMTCT programs in Antenatal Clinics. The reasons for poor involvement of males in PMTCT programs were; being busy [25.2%], cultural reasons[21.4%], lack of knowledge on the importance of the programs (21.4%). CONCLUSION Most males do not participate in PMTCT programs because they don’t realise their importance due to inadequate knowledge about the programs, while others are hindered by cultural settings in the community which pose negative perceptions toward the programs. RECOMMENDATIONS PMTCT clinics should be made men friendly and service providers should ensure that all efforts are made to involve men from the beginning in every PMTCT intervention. Men should be enforced to accompany their couples to the ANC through denying maternal services to the mother unless she comes with her husband/ partner.