Author(s)

Nkechinyere Elizabeth Harrison^1,2*, Kenneth Ejiofor Oruka¹, Uzoamaka Concilia Agbaim¹, Olatunde Ademola Adegbite¹, Obiyo Nwaiwu³, Nathan Anelechi Elvis Okeji⁴

¹Centre for Infectious Disease Clinic, 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
²Department of Medicine, 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
³Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
⁴Ministry of Defence, Health Implementation Programme, Abuja, Nigeria.

Introduction: Traditionally, Prevention of Maternal-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV involves women and excludes men despite their important roles. There is a need for more data on factors influencing male participation in PMTCT programs. Design: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of married HIV-positive men receiving care at the adult ART clinic, 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba. Data were collected from March 15 to April 30, 2018. Result: Out of the 366 respondents, 333 (91%) were aware that HIV can be transmitted from mother to child. However, only 43.2% correctly identified that it can be transmitted during pregnancy, while 30.2% stated during labour. Almost all of the respondents (96.4%) would also accept that their positive partners take antiretroviral treatment to protect her unborn baby, 86.9% would support non breastfeeding option after delivery, and 95.6% indicated readiness to buy formula milk for the baby. Similarly, majority believed that a pregnant woman can be tested for HIV without the permission of her partner (Mean = 1.47 ± 0.893), and that men should accompany their spouse to ANC/PMTCT clinics (Mean = 1.86 ± 0.921). Conclusion: This study revealed that despite low knowledge of PMTCT among men, there is a good level of attitude and involvement among them. We recommend further study to fully explore the impact of education on men’s participation.

Prevention, Maternal to Child, HIV Transmission, Men, Attitude, Practice, Nigeria

Harrison, N. , Oruka, K. , Agbaim, U. , Adegbite, O. , Nwaiwu, O. and Okeji, N. (2020) Prevention of Maternal-to-Child Transmission of HIV: Knowledge, Attitude and Factors Influencing Active Participation among HIV-Positive Men in a Military Health Facility in Lagos, South Western Nigeria. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, 10, 233-253. doi: 10.4236/ojpm.2020.108017.