Male participation in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV has been determined as one of the key factors in sub-Saharan African countries, but its realization is challenging because of male-related and institutional factors. The purpose of this study is two-fold: first, we explored the views of Luba-Kasai men, living in Zambia in the Lusaka Province, on the factors that encourage, inconvenience or inhibit them in accompanying their wives to the antenatal clinic and their ideas to improve their experience. Secondly, the study considered their knowledge of the PMTCT program and how such knowledge conformed to the Zambian National Protocol Guidelines Integrated PMTCT of HIV/AIDS. Twenty-one interviews were analyzed using qualitative inductive content analysis. The National Protocol Guidelines Integrated PMTCT of HIV/AIDS were analyzed using the deductive content analysis. The encouraging factors that emerged were involvement in the program, the time of delivery, love and care, and also the suspicion of corruption. The inconveniencing factors were the arrangements and working culture of the clinic, together with stigma and guilt. A lack of motivation, fear of death, socioeconomic circumstances and again the arrangements and working culture at the clinic were held as inhibiting factors. The ideas to remove inconvenient factors were maintaining a spiritual outlook on life, education, interaction, a good mood and a sense of meaningfulness. Considering such male views and paying attention to minorities in the development of national PMTCT of HIV Programs may enhance male participation in the process.
Abstract Objective This study describes the views of Luba‐Kasai men (a Congolese tribe living in Lusaka Province, Zambia) about different methods through which they can prevent their babies from being exposed to human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) infection during pregnancy, delivery and feeding. Design and Sample Individual semi‐structured interview study with a sample of Luba‐Kasai refugee men ( n = 21). Measures Data were translated into English and analyzed using content analysis. Results Two methods of prevention emerged: (1) Outside support (pastoral support, e.g., maintaining a spiritual outlook on life, and support from the public health service); and (2) Adopting safe practices around their own and their families' lifestyle. Conclusion Additional attention to male participation in antenatal clinics may strengthen prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV .
The purpose of this study was to describe the views of Luba-Kasai (a Congolese tribe) men on barriers inhibiting them from the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and the resources they need to implement such prevention in Lusaka, Zambia. Twenty-one men were interviewed and the data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The barriers identified in the data were poverty, refugee status, absence of support arrangements, and the working culture in antenatal care, passivity, ignorance, marital disharmony, HIV-related stigma, and cultural characteristics, such as ways of being a man and religious beliefs. The resources were spiritual outlook on life, knowledge of HIV issues, support and availability of advanced health services, and satisfaction of basic needs. Improving male participation in PMTCT in this subpopulation presupposes cooperation between different sectors of society and inspiring trust in antenatal care.