Key words: male partner involvement, maternal and infant health outcomes, HIV infected mothers, HIV-exposed infants, intimate partner violence, rural South Africa

"Male partner involvement in prenatal and postnatal care: Implications for prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV programs in rural South Africa"

Programs for the Prevention of Mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (PMTCT) in rural South Africa face multiple challenges and have thus been less effective compared to PMTCT programs in urban areas. Male partner involvement (MPI) in PMTCT during prenatal and postnatal care is one of the crucial factors that can help to improve the effectiveness of PMTCT programs. The aim of this thesis was to determine the level of MPI, explore, and better understand MPI in PMTCT during prenatal and postnatal periods among women and their male partners in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Also, factors associated with MPI were investigated. These factors include maternal health outcomes, outcomes related to infant development, and experience of intimate partner violence to mention some. Thus, this thesis provides insights for improved effectiveness of PMTCT programs in rural South Africa through positive male partner involvement in PMTCT.

 

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