title: Association between male partner involvement and the uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) interventions in Mwanza district, Malawi: a retrospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective of this study was to examine the association between male partner involvement and the uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort study was used to collect data on women, their male partners and their children who were enrolled in a PMTCT program from January 2004 to December 2006 at Mwanza District Hospital. HIV infected women and their children were followed-up over the 18 months postnatal period. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 476 HIV positive women were enrolled in a PMTCT program and were followed-up in the study. Of those followed-up in the study, 65 (13.7%) had a male partner involvement while 411 (86.3%) had no male partner involvement. Male partner involvement was significantly associated with condom use (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3-13.5, P<0.001), hospital delivery (AOR = 25.9, 95%CI: 10.6-63.6, P<0.001), and completion of follow-up in the program (AOR = 16.8, 95% CI: 8.5-33.4, P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Male partner involvement increases the uptake of some PMTCT interventions by HIV positive women. Multi-strategic, culturally tailored public health care models are needed to increase the rate of male partner involvement in the program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child, Adolescence & Woman Health Care, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Fatch W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Kalembo
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zgambo
authors.forename: Atupele N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Mulaga
authors.forename: Du
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yukai
authors.forename: Niman I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010332:Paternal Behavior; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies