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Male partner involvement and successful completion of the prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission continuum of care in Kenya
Author(s) -
Hampanda Karen,
Helova Anna,
Odwar Tobias,
Odeny Thomas,
Oo Maricianah,
Bukusi Elizabeth,
Turan Janet,
Abuogi Lisa
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1002/ijgo.13442
Subject(s) - medicine , confidence interval , kenya , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , descriptive statistics , demography , family medicine , statistics , mathematics , sociology , political science , law
Objective To examine the relationship between male partner involvement (MPI) in prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission (PMTCT) activities and successful completion of the PMTCT continuum of care, which remains sub‐optimal in settings with high prevalence of HIV. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was administered in June–August 2017 to a sample of 200 postpartum Kenyan women with HIV enrolled in a parent trial. Composite PMTCT and MPI variables were created. Descriptive, simple and multivariable regression, and mediation analyses were performed. Results Of the women, 54% reported successful completion of PMTCT. Depression and internalized HIV stigma were independently associated with lower likelihood of successful completion of PMTCT (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–0.99; aRR 0.92; 95% CI 0.88–0.98, respectively). Each MPI activity was associated with 10% greater likelihood of successful completion of PMTCT ( P < 0.05). The relationship between MPI and the successful completion of PMTCT was partially mediated through women's reduced internalized HIV stigma (β −0.03; 95%CI −0.06 to −0.00). Conclusion Greater MPI in PMTCT activities has direct and indirect effects on women's successful completion of all necessary steps across the PMTCT continuum. Reduced internalized HIV stigma is likely a key mechanism in the relationship.