Role of male partners in the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission

Figures & data

Figure 1 Benefits of male partner participation in PMTCT efforts within the WHO comprehensive four-pronged approach to virtual elimination of vertical HIV transmission.

Abbreviations: ART, antiretroviral therapy; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; HIV+, human-immunodeficiency-virus positive; PMTCT, prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission; PrEP, preexposure prophylaxis; VCT, Voluntary counseling and HIV testing; WHO, World Health Organization.

Figure 2 Proportion of male partners in sub-Saharan Africa accessing HIV testing in antenatal care clinics.

Table 1 Outcomes associated with male partner HIV testing and engagement in PMTCT programs

Study	Country	Study design/study population	Study outcomes
Aluisio et al^Citation5	Kenya	Prospective cohort/456 HIV-infected pregnant women	Increased uptake of formula feeding and ART among HIV-infected mothers when partners presented to clinic Decreased mortality among HIV-uninfected infants when partners tested at presentation to clinic Decreased mother-to-child HIV transmission when partners presented to clinic
Farquhar et al^Citation8	Kenya	Prospective cohort/2,836 pregnant women; 308 male partners	Increased uptake of nevirapine with couple counseling Increased adherence to exclusive breastfeeding with couple counseling Increased uptake of condom use with couple counseling
Farquhar et al^Citation13	Kenya	Prospective cohort/172 HIV-infected pregnant women	Increased likelihood of adhering to recommended exclusive breastfeeding behaviors, such as formula feeding Increased uptake of ART among HIV-infected mothers
Kalembo et al^Citation22	Malawi	Retrospective cohort/476 HIV-infected pregnant women	Increased uptake of condom use by five-fold Increased likelihood of delivering babies at hospitals
Mangeni et al^Citation30	Kenya	Prospective cohort/730 couples	Increased utilization of skilled attendance at delivery irrespective of HIV status by two-fold
Rosenberg et al^Citation36	South Africa	Prospective cohort/508 HIV-infected individuals in HIV-discordant couples	Decreased unprotected sex Increased uptake of condom use and dual contraception
Peltzer et al^Citation48	South Africa	Prospective cohort/746 HIV-1 seropositive pregnant and postnatal women	Disclosure of maternal HIV status to the male partners increased maternal AZT adherence. Male involvement increased both maternal and infant adherence to nevirapine.

Abbreviations: ART, antiretroviral therapy; AZT, zidovudine; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; PMTCT, prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission.

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Farquhar C, Kiarie JN, Richardson BA, et al. Antenatal couple counseling increases uptake of interventions to prevent HIV-1 transmission. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2004;37(5):1620–1626.

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Farquhar C, Mbori-Ngacha DA, Bosire RK, Nduati RW, Kreiss JK, John GC. Partner notification by HIV-1 seropositive pregnant women: association with infant feeding decisions. AIDS. 2001;15(6):815–817.

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Kalembo FW, Zgambo M, Mulaga AN, Yukai D, Ahmed NI. 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. PLoS One. 2013;8(6):e66517.

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Mangeni M, Mbugua, Mukthar. Male involvement in maternal health care as a determinant of utilization of skilled birth attendants in Kenya [webpage on the Internet]. Claverton: MEASURE DHS; 2013. Available from: http://www.measuredhs.com/publications/publication-wp93-working-papers.cfm. Accessed, November 29, 2013.

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Rosenberg NE, Pettifor AE, De Bruyn G, et al. HIV testing and counseling leads to immediate consistent condom use among South African stable HIV-discordant couples. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2013;62(2):226–233.

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Peltzer K, Sikwane E, Majaja M. Factors associated with short-course antiretroviral prophylaxis (dual therapy) adherence for PMTCT in Nkangala district, South Africa. Acta Paediatr. 2011;100(9):1253–1257.

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