In many Sub-Saharan African settings male partner involvement in antenatal care (ANC) remains low, although great benefits for maternal and infant health outcomes have been long recognised, in particular regarding the prevention of HIV transmission. Yet there is paucity on evidence regarding the effectiveness of strategies to increase male partner involvement. This controlled intervention trial in Ruanda Health Centre in Mbeya, Tanzania, assessed the effectiveness of invitation letters for male involvement in ANC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The benefits of male partner involvement in antenatal care (ANC) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) for maternal and infant health outcomes have been well recognised. However, in many sub-Saharan African settings, male involvement in these services remains low. Previous research has suggested written invitation letters as a way to promote male partner involvement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProviding full antiretroviral therapy (ART) to all HIV-positive, pregnant women with treatment indication could significantly reduce overall mother-to-child transmission. However, the effectiveness of referring HIV-positive antenatal care (ANC) clients with a treatment indication to ART services has rarely been assessed to date. We retrospectively followed-up data of a cohort of treatment-eligible ANC clients in Mbeya Region, Tanzania by retracing and merging registries of ANC, Care and Treatment Centers (CTC), and Infant Care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPartner involvement is considered to increase the effectiveness of female-oriented services for sexual and reproductive health (SRH), like those for antenatal care (ANC) or the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). However, male participation rates remain mostly low, and previous research has identified restrictive provider attitudes among barriers for partner participation in such services. Individual perspectives and experiences of healthcare providers are assumed to significantly influence the quality of delivered services.
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