Money, chores and emotional support: Kenyan and Zambian fathers’ perceptions of male partner involvement in maternal and infant health within the context of HIV

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, involving male partners in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV improves maternal and infant outcomes. Male involvement is typically conceptualised as male partners attending antenatal care, which is difficult for many men. Little is known about how men view their involvement in family health within the context of HIV, particularly outside of clinic attendance. Through interviews with 35 male partners of pregnant or postpartum women living with HIV in Kenya and Zambia, this study elicited perceptions of male involvement in maternal and infant health in families affected by HIV. Men supported the importance of clinic attendance but reported conflicts with the need to work and fulfil their role as the family’s financial provider. Providing money for necessities was deemed more critical for their family’s health than clinic attendance. Men’s involvement was conveyed through various other supportive actions, including helping with household chores and providing emotional support (showing love and reducing women’s stress). Future strategies to promote male partner involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and maternal and child health should build upon the actions men view as most meaningful to promote their family’s health within their real-world life circumstances and cultural context, particularly their role as financial providers.

Keywords:

• Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV
• male partner involvement
• prenatal care
• gender roles
• pregnancy

Acknowledgements

We thank interview participants, and acknowledge the support we received from the local communities, without which, this study would not have been possible. We also thank the Kenya Medical Research Institute for assistance with study implementation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the US National Institutes of Health, including awards granted to the University of Colorado [R01 HD080477, PIs: Abuogi, Turan, Onono; K99 MH116735, PI: Hampanda, R00 MH116735, PI: Hampanda, T32 AI007447; PI: Campbell], and the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill [K24 AI120796, PI: Chi; R01 AI131060, PIs: Chi, Mutale].