title: Male partner voluntary counselling and testing associated with the antenatal services in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Low male participation in voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services at antenatal clinics (ANCs) represents a lost HIV-prevention opportunity. A three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted that offered VCT at a neighbourhood health centre, bar or church to the male partners of pregnant women attending a maternity unit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The primary outcome was the proportion of male participation at VCT; secondary outcomes were uptake of couple counselling and determinants of male and couple participation. From a total of 2706 women included in the study, 591 male partners (22%) attended one of the three venues. Male participation was significantly higher in bars (26%, P < 0.001), and higher but not statistically significant in church-based VCT (21%, P = 0.163) compared with health centre VCT (18%). Male participation in VCT associated with ANCs was higher in non-health service settings, particularly in bars. A combination of different strategies rather than single targeted interventions will be needed to increase VCT uptake in male partners of women seeking VCT at ANCs.
authors.affiliation: Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. josol70@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ditekemena
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matendo
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Koole
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Colebunders
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kashamuka
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tshefu
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kilese
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nanlele
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ryder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012067:Religion; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D035141:Voluntary Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*