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Engaging Men in HIV Prevention: A Study on PMTCT Participation in Iringa, Tanzania

This study by EngenderHealth's ACQUIRE Tanzania Project explores the feasibility and impact of male involvement in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV within antenatal care clinics in Iringa, Tanzania. Despite the high HIV prevalence, many male partners remain uninformed about PMTCT services. Initiatives to encourage men's participation led to increased HIV testing among male partners and improved communication regarding reproductive health. The findings highlight the challenges and successes of integrating men into health services for better maternal and child health outcomes.

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Engaging Men in HIV Prevention: A Study on PMTCT Participation in Iringa, Tanzania

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  1. Will Your PartnerBe Attending? Involving men in the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in antenatal care clinicsin Iringa, Tanzania Kikumbih N;Motta W; Nielsen-Bobbit J; Mbandi A; Killian R; Mwanga F; Barone M; and Perchal P EngenderHealthACQUIRE Tanzania Project

  2. Objective • To explore the feasibility and impact of male involvement initiatives to increase male attendance and service utilization at PMTCT sites

  3. Demographic Profile in Iringa Population size • Total population = 1,737,382 (2010 projection) • WRA = 441,315 HIV/AIDS • National HIV prevalence rate is 5.7% • Iringa HIV prevalence is 16% • Pregnant women HIV prevalence is 5% Source: Tanzania DHS 2010; HIV survey 2008

  4. Background • EngenderHealth’s ACQUIRE Tanzania Project (ATP) supports the MOHSW to increase access to and use of quality family planning and PMTCT services • More than 90% of women attending ANC are tested for HIV,yet most male partners are not informed of PMTCT services [UNAIDS, 2011] • Males have been traditionally seen as “facilitators” of their partners to access RH services [WHO, 2012] • Men accompanying their partners to ANC represents a key opportunity for engaging them in HIV and FP services

  5. Why Male Involvement? • Men make a lot of the decisions regarding reproductive health (e.g., condom use) [WHO, 2012] • Male involvement can: • Reduce stigma and discrimination directed to HIV-positive women (e.g., fear of HIV disclosure) • Improve treatment adherence [Farquhar et al, 2004] • Improve couple communication regarding sexuality issues.

  6. Male Involvement Interventions (2008 onwards) • Training • Infrastructure • Posters • Invitation to men • Men invited to ANC health talks • Male friendly health services provided at ANC • Couples given first priority for PMTCT services

  7. Evaluation Methodology • Program data was collected monthly in all 351 sites providing PMTCT services between 2008 – 2011 • Data collected included: • ANC attendance for women and men • HIV testing • EPI-INFO used for analysis

  8. Results: Increased Male Involvement

  9. Male Partners’ HIV Testing Trend

  10. Ongoing Challenges • RH policies target women instead of couples • Provider bias and negative attitude about men’s participation in ANC and labor/delivery • Male involvement slow to pick-up despite interventions

  11. Lessons Learnt • Local male involvement initiatives can encourage men to accompany their partners at ANC • Men are exposed to correct information on HIV and PMTCT through participation in health talks and couples counseling • Male involvement initiatives have contributed to more men getting tested for HIV, and those positive were referred to care and treatment

  12. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT • PEPFAR • MOHSW • Districts – Council Health Management Teams (CHMTs) • PMTCT sites staff • Engender health Partners

  13. Thank you

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