The Role of the Male Partner in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV in Cameroon

Dickson Shey Nsagha^1, , Gregory Edie Halle-Ekane², Claude Shei Nfor², Marcelin Ngowe Ngowe² and Boniface Tatchwanglie Nasah²

¹Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

²Department of Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

Cite this paper:
Dickson Shey Nsagha, Gregory Edie Halle-Ekane, Claude Shei Nfor, Marcelin Ngowe Ngowe and Boniface Tatchwanglie Nasah. The Role of the Male Partner in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV in Cameroon. American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2014; 2(2):52-59. doi: 10.12691/ajeid-2-2-1

Abstract

Background: Mother to child transmission of HIV remains a major public health problem. To solve this problem WHO developed the PMTCT program. Involving male partners in the program is associated with improved outcome. However, in Cameroon, only 1.6% of men participated in the program in 2010 and the program’s target of 80% was not reached. Hence, this study sought to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of men with regards to PMTCT in the Buea Health District of Cameroon. Methods: It was a cross sectional survey of 384 community men and 384 women attending ANC/PMTCT and IWF clinics in the Buea Health District using a structured questionnaire. Ethical clearance was obtained from the FHSIRB. Each health area in the district represented a stratum. In each stratum, there was sampling of women at the clinics and men in the community. Written consent was obtained from all participants. Data was analysed on EPI INFO version 3.5.1. Results: More than 81% of respondents had heard of the PMTCT program (95%CI: 93.5-97.9%). However, the proportion of men and women with correct knowledge of PMTCT was less than the 80% target (95%CI: 72.5%-81.2% for men and 68.2-77.4% for women). The health services (p=0.0001), radio and television (p=0.0001) were the main sources of information on PMTCT. Attitudes towards PMTCT program activities and male involvement was largely positive. Male participation at ANC/PMTCT clinic was low (41.3%). Non-invitation to clinic and lack of time were the main reasons for low male participation. Use of condom during pregnancy and breastfeeding was low (74.5%) and practice of multiple sexual partners was common in the district. Community sensitisation, creation of clinic days for men and participation of couples at ANC clinics were proposed methods for improving male participation. Conclusion: Men have a role to play in PMTCT and should be given adequate knowledge of PMTCT for improved outcome.

Keywords:
Format Microsoft Word Template Style Insert Template

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. Report on the global AIDS epidemic [www]. Available at:http://www.unaids.org/documets/20101123-globalreport-em.pdf. [Accessed 16/06/2011]. 2010a.
[2]	International HIV and AIDS charity. Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV [www] Available at: http://www.avert.org/pmtct hiv.htm[Accessed: 10/09/2010]. 2010.
[3]	Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. Unpublished estimates [www]. Available from: http://www.childinfo.org/files/opportunity_in_crisis_Report_EN-052711.pdf. [Accessed 15/10/2012]. 2010b.
[4]	Tsague, L. We can scale up PMTCT in low resource setting, lessons learned and challenges learned from Cameroons experience. In: the 5th international conference on AIDS Bangkok Thailand, July 11-16. 43-60. 2004.
[5]	Joanna, O., Patrice, T., Marija, M., Mukta, G., Maia, B., Fred, E., Eddy, P., Shrinivas, D., Sanjeevani, K., George, K., Eric, B., Annabel, D., Francois, D. Couple-oriented prenatal HIV counselling for HIV primary prevention. BioMed Central Public Health. 10: 197. 2010.
[6]	United Nations Children’s Education Fund. Cameroon PMTCT Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.unicef.org/aids/files/cameroon-PMTCTfactsheet-2010-pdf. [Accessed 15/09/2012].
[7]	United Nations Children’s Education Fund. Count down to zero (Eliminating new HIV infections in children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive) Cameroon. Available at: http://www.unicef.org/aids/files/cameroon-PMTCTfactsheet-2010-pdf. [Accessed 15/09/2012].
[8]	Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon. Available at: http://www.cameroon-info.net/stories/0,15516,@,minister-announces-decline-in-hiv-aids-prevalence.html [Accessed 23/08/2012]
[9]	South West Regional Technical Group. Annual Report. Available at: http://dev.cdnss.dros-minsante-cameroon.org. [Accessed 16/07/2012].
[10]	Cameroon Baptist Convention. PMTCT training manual. 20-60. 2002.
[11]	Academy for Educational Development and Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Program. 2009. Male Involvement in PMTCT in Botswana. Available at: http://www.bocaip.org.bw/ [Accessed 24/10/2012].
[12]	Babirye J. Sserunga T, Rwabasonga B, M, Logose B. Male involvement in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV. The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) Uganda Ltd.
[13]	Kayembe K, N. The role of men in the Program to prevent mother-to- child transmission of HIV in Jwaneng Botswana, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. 2005.
[14]	Nkuoh G. N., Meyer, D.J., Tih, P.M., Nkfusai. J. Barriers to Men's Participation in Antenatal and Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Care in Cameroon. African Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health. 55: 363-369. 2010.
[15]	Akarro, R. R. J., Deonisia, M., Sichona, F.J. An evaluation of male involvement on the Program for PMTCT of HIV/AIDS: a case study of ilala municipality in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. Arts and Social Sciences Journal. 20-21. 2011.
[16]	Stefanie, T., Paulina, M., Hebel, L., Brigitte, J., Andrea, K.G.H. Male Involvement in PMTCT Services in Mbeya Region, Tanzania. AIDS Behaviour. 13. 92-102. 2009.
[17]	Barnabas, R. A., Aloysius, R., David, M., Julius, M.S., Dickson, T., Robert, T., Lillian, B. Knowledge and practices of women regarding PMTCT in Mwizi subcounty.(microresearch),Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda. 23-28. 2012.
[18]	United Nations General Assembly Special Session (2001). Declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS “Global crisis Global action”. Available at: http://www,un,org/ga/aids/covrage/final declarationHIVAIDS html. [Acessed 17/09/2012].
[19]	Labhardt, N.D., Manga, E., Ndam, M., Balo, J. R., Bischoff, A., Stoll, B. Early assessment of the implementation of a national Program for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Cameroon and the effects of staff training: a survey in 70 rural health care facilities. Tropical Medicine & International Health; 14: 288-293. 2009.
[20]	Eli, F. F., Keren, M. M., Thorkild, T., Marina, M., Sia E, M., Ingunn, M. S. E. "It is her responsibility": partner involvement in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV program, northern Tanzania. Journal of International AIDS Society; 14: 21. 2011.
[21]	Lyatuu, M.B., Msamanga, G., Kalinga, A.K. Client's satisfaction with services for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Dodoma rural district. East African Journal of Public Health. 5:174-179. 2008.
[22]	Robert, B., James, K. T., Nulu, S., Thorkild, T. Determinants of male involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV program in Eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional survey. Reproductive Health. 7:12. 2010.
[23]	Elizabeth Glazier Paediatric AIDS Foundation. Improving the continuum of care by promoting male involvement in PMTCT in Nzega District, Tanzania. In: Nineteenth International AIDS Conference, Washington DC. 25-30. 2012.
[24]	Ugba, E.A. Increasing PMTCT uptake in a rural hospital using community-based volunteers and male involvement campaigns: experience from northern Nigeria. In: Nineteenth International AIDS Conference, Washington DC. 60-87. 2012.
[25]	Kikumbi, N. Will your partner be attending? Involving men in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in antenatal care clinics in Iringa, Tanzania. In: Nineteenth International AIDS Conference, Washington DC. 60-85. 2012.