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- Title
Barriers to Male-Partner Participation in Programs to Prevent Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission in South Africa.
- Authors
Koo, Kevin; Makin, Jennifer D.; Forsyth, Brian W. C.
- Abstract
Efforts to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) in sub-Saharan Africa have focused overwhelmingly on women, to the unintended exclusion of their male partners. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tshwane, South Africa, to determine barriers to male-partner participation during PMTCT. In-depth interviews were conducted with 124 men whose partners had recently been pregnant, and five focus group discussions were held with physicians, nurses, HIV counselors, and community representatives. Qualitative analysis revealed that while most fathers believed that HIV testing is an important part of preparing for fatherhood, there are formidable structural and psychosocial barriers: the perception of clinics as not 'male-friendly,' a narrow focus on HIV testing instead of general wellness, and a lack of expectations and opportunities for fathers to participate in health care. Coupled with more family-oriented approaches to PMTCT, measurable improvements in the way that male partners are invited to and engaged in HIV prevention during pregnancy can help PMTCT programs to achieve their full potential.
- Subjects
SOUTH Africa; HIV prevention; VERTICAL transmission (Communicable diseases); PSYCHOLOGY of fathers; FOCUS groups; INTERVIEWING; RESEARCH methodology; PRENATAL care; RESEARCH; RESEARCH funding; SOUND recordings; PATIENT participation; QUALITATIVE research; DISCLOSURE; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; THEMATIC analysis; CROSS-sectional method; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; AIDS serodiagnosis; PREVENTION
- Publication
AIDS Education & Prevention, 2013, Vol 25, Issue 1, p14
- ISSN
0899-9546
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1521/aeap.2013.25.1.14