Women's preferences, expectations, and experiences with male partner support throughout prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV services: a mixed-methods study.

Creator(s)

Catherine Wexler
Melinda Brown
May Maloba
Kathy Goggin, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow
Natabhona Mabachi
Yvonne Kamau
Brad Gautney
Sharon Koech
Silas Lagat
Sarah Finocchario-Kessler

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2021

Identifier

DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1859444

Abstract

Male involvement in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) care improves maternal and child outcomes. We conducted a mixed-methods study at two Kenyan government hospitals. We quantitatively assessed women's expectations and preferences for male partner involvement in PMTCT and male partner attendance at PMTCT appointments. Qualitative interviews with women during the postpartum period assessed types of support women received from their male partners. At enrollment, most participants wanted (75%) and expected (69%) male partners to attend appointments; yet, only 9% had a male partner attend any appointments. Most women agreed that their partner would: support them financially (81%), help follow doctor's guidance (61%), support a hospital-based delivery (85%), and want to receive text messages (68%). Expectations and preferences varied by women's characteristics, most notably experiences with mistreatment, disclosure status, and knowledge of male partner's HIV status. In qualitative interviews, instrumental (financial) support was the most frequently discussed type of support. Male partners also provided informational support by reminding women of medication or appointments. Women reported a variety of ways in which their male partners supported them through PMTCT; however, there was a gap between women's expectation for male partner attendance and the level of male attendance achieved.

Journal Title

AIDS care

Volume

33

Issue

8

First Page

1059

Last Page

1067

MeSH Keywords

Child; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Kenya; Male; Motivation; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Sexual Partners; Social Support

Keywords

Kenya; Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT); antenatal care; male partner involvement

Comments

Grant support

• R34 MH107337/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States

Recommended Citation

Wexler C, Brown M, Maloba M, et al. Women's preferences, expectations, and experiences with male partner support throughout prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV services: a mixed-methods study. AIDS Care. 2021;33(8):1059-1067. doi:10.1080/09540121.2020.1859444