Men’s perspectives on antiretrovirals in preventing perinatal HIV transmission in Suba I East, Migori District
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Date
2006Author
Onyango, Elizabeth A
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
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Mother to child transmission of HfV/AIDS accounts to almost 90% percent of HI\!
infections in children. Scientific research has shown that this mode of HIV transmission
can be reduced through use of antiretroviral drugs among other interventions. These
interventions are currently provided through PMCT programs most of which attract
women as their clients since they are the ones who are involved in the actual delivery of
the babies. Some programs realized that the uptake of this service was low and some
studies established that the women feared the reaction of their partners especially as
regards results disclosure. HIV positive status was feared could lead to the women being
blamed of having brought the disease.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in November 2004 to determine the
perceptions and knowledge of men on antiretrovirajs in preventing mother to chi Id
transmission of 1-IlV. The study also aimed at determining the acceptance of men on use
of antiretroviral drugs by HIV infected women and their newborn infants in preventing
perinatal HIV transmission. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected.
Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select the sampling units.
The findings of the study showed that slightly half (55.3%) of the respondents had
adequate knowledge on PMCT., After controlling for possible confounders only
education remained a strong predictor of possessing adequate or inadequate knowledge
on PMCT of HIVIA IDS (OR=1.721, 95% CI: 1.359-2.180. p= 0.000).
Whereas Majority of the respondents (75%) had good PMCT perceptions, less than half
(48%) of all the respondents had good PMTCT practices. Protestants were more likely
to have good perceptions on prevention of MTCT of HJV/AIDS compared to catholics
(OR= 1.81, 95% CI: 1.0 1-3.22, ps=0.03). However. when logistic regression was done to
determine the effect of each variable independent of the other regarding perceptions on
PMCT of HIVI/\lOS components, no socio demographic factor was found to be
significantly related to having good perceptions on PMCT. Only level of education
(OR=1.359, 95% CI: 1.086- 1.70 I, p=0.007) and type of occupation (OR=0.826. 95%
CI: 0.708-0.963, p=O.OlS) were found to be significantly related to good PMCT
practices after controlling for confounding factors.
Majority of the respondents in the study (90%) stated that they would recommend
women to take nevirapine prophylaxis for the purpose of PMCT.
In conclusion, there is still knowledge gap among men on issues of PMCT. There is
however positive attitude towards the interventions only that knowledge and good
perceptions have not been translated into expected good PMCT practices.
In the recommendations, the government should try to change the image of Maternal
Child Health (MCI-l) clinics to make them more male friendly. This may include
orientation and sensitization of health workers to appreciate male as equal partners with
women in seeking family related health services like PMTCT. Current information on
PMCT of HIV/AIDS needs to be disseminated to all members of the community not
forgetting men. Further studies are required to continuously monitor and evaluate the
PMCT services and determine the level of involvement of men and how this has
impacted on uptake of the services. This is in view of the fact that ever since the study
period, PMTCT services in the district have been rolled out to more sites. A similar
study needs to be carried out in a different geographical and socio-cultural set up to
identify other factors that could affect men's perceptions on PMCT of HIV/AIDS.
Citation
Degree of Masters in public healthPublisher
University of Nairobi School of Public Health
Description
A thesis submitted in part fulfillment for The Degree
of Masters of Public Health of the University of
Nairobi.