Male involvement and participation in prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS in chipata district.

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has not only resulted in high morbidity and mortality among Zambians, but it continues to pose a great challenge on the Zambian economy. The costs spent on HIV/AIDS programmes are high. One such programme is PMTCT. The Ministry of Health (MoH) in 1998 formed the Mother To Child Team (MTCT) working group to spearhead and coordinate activities related to prevention of MTCT (MoH, 1999). The group was later referred to as Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) working group. Since then PMTCT programmes have been supported by MoH and strategic plans have been developed to scale up the implementation of theses programmes. In Zambia, the PMTCT concept is nearly 8 years old. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing male involvement and participation in PMTCT programmes in Chipata District. Since men are powerful decision makers; their involvement and participation in PMTCT programmes can positively or negatively influence the utilisation of PMTCT services and also curb the spread of HIV. Literature review for this study is from various scholars globally, regionally and nationally. A non experimental qualitative research approach using the exploratory study design was used for this study. This study design enabled the researcher gain insight and understanding of the factors that influence male involvement and participation in PMTCT programmes. The research participants were selected using purposive sampling method through the use of participation criteria. Thirty nine (39) males and eleven (11) females participated in the study and data was collected through four (4) FGDs. Data was analysed using content analysis. The codes that were drawn from the analysis were entered into the computer software SPSS 9.0 for windows. A SHARP scientific and statistical calculator was further used to draw and present data using frequency tables, pie charts and cross tabulations. The study has revealed that males in Chipata district are not adequately participating in PMTCT programmes. The study also revealed that both male and female participants were involved in HIV risky traditional practices which comprised of smearing semen on baby's body (Kukonza mwana) at three to four months old and tattooing of the baby. This is mainly due to lack of information on PMTCT, as there is no direct communication between PMTCT staff and the males. The PMTCT programme has been integrated in ANC, which traditionally mainly offered care to pregnant women. Therefore, men naturally felt left out despite having positive views regarding roles they can play PMTCT programmes.