Abstract:
Background: Male partner involvement in prevention of mother to child transmition of Human
Immunodeficiency Virus is potential to achieve virtual elimination of mother-to-child
transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus. However, male partner involvement is very
low in Ethiopia and it is one of the potential program gaps.
Objectives: To determine level of male partner involvement and associated factors in prevention
of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS services among males in Lemo woreda, Hadiya
zone, South Ethiopia, 2015.
Methods: A community based cross- sectional study design was conducted among males in
Lemo woreda from March 15/2015 to 15/2015 April after ethical clearance obtained from
responsible bodies. Totally 422 male partners were included in the study by using multistage
stratified sampling technique. Data was collected by trained 8 data collectors using a structured
and pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Bivariate and multivariable
binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify the predictors of male partner
involvement in PMTCT of HIV/AIDS services. The variables which had significant association
at P value ≤ 0.05 were considered as predictors of male partner involvement in PMTCT of
HIV/AIDS services.
Results: A total of 401 male partners of pregnant mothers had participated in the study making
the response rate of 95%. Level of male partner involvement in PMTCT of HIV/AIDS service
among participated male partners was 123(30.7%). Male partners‘ involvement in PMTCT
services was significantly associated with level of education grade 1 to 4 (AOR=0.3, 95%CI: 0.1
- 0.9) and Grade 11 and higher (AOR=3.2, 95%CI: 1.5 - 6.6), average family monthly income
less than or equal 1170 ETB (AOR=0.2, 95%CI: 0.1 - 0.4), low socio cultural factor
influence(AOR =4.1, 95%CI: 2.28 - 7.34) , high knowledge (AOR =6.7 ,95%:3.7-1.1) and low
service related factors influence (AOR=3.2,95%CI:1.8 - 5.6)
Conclusions & Recommendation: Male partners who had highly educated, high family
monthly income, high knowledge, low socio cultural factors influence , low service related factor
influence to involve in PMTCT services were more likely involved in PMTCT of HIV/AIDS
services than their counter parts. Efforts should be made for information dissemination to both
partners about PMTCT service.
