The level of male involvement and associated factors in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the level of male involvement and factors associated with male involvement in the Prevention of Mother—to—Child Transmission of HIV. The study used an explanatory sequential mixed—methods design to assess male involvement in a sample of 566 women aged 18 and above. The study was conducted at three health facilities. A 10—item male partner involvement scale was used in the survey, and focus group discussions with both men and women and key informants were used to collect qualitative data. The weighted mean score for overall male involvement was 2.78 ± 1.40, indicating higher male involvement. Increasing income (p < 0.05), married (p < 0.031), living near a health facility (p = 0.033), HIV couple testing (p = 0.001) and disclosure of HIV results (p < 0.001) were associated with a higher male involvement in PMTCT. Men's busy schedules, lack of knowledge, lack of communication, long waiting times, lack of privacy and PMTCT activities deemed women's responsibility were cited as barriers to male involvement in PMTCT. Efforts are needed to improve male involvement in PMTCT services, focusing on addressing the barriers contributing to low male involvement.