Abstract:
Background: Male partner Involvement is a crucial component to optimize antenatal care of mother to
child transmission of HIV service. Without intervention, the risk of mother to child transmission of HIV
ranges from 25 to 35% in developing countries. Male partners’ involvement has been considered as a first
priority to focus intervention to be intensified in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV but it
remained one of the biggest challenges in Ethiopia.
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess male partner’s involvement in HIV/AIDS testing and
counseling and associated factors among partners of pregnant women in Dendi district, West Shoa Zone
Oromia, Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 study participants in the
Dendi district. Study participants were selected by using a simple random sampling technique from March
1 to April 30, 2023. Data were collected using pretested, structured, and interviewer-administered
questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi-Data 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 26. Binary logistic
regression analysis was computed and variables with p-value < 0.25 were considered as candidates for
multivariable logistic regression. Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95% confidence interval was estimated to
identify association and for multivariable logistic regression Statistical significance was declared at a pvalue
<0.05.
Results: A total of 406 partners of pregnant women were included in the study with a response rate of
96.6%. Overall, a total of 32.8% (95% CI: 31.6-38.2%) of partners of pregnant women were involved in
HIV/AIDS testing and counseling. Heard about HIV/AIDS from health care providers(AOR = 4.01,[95%
CI: 2.09, 7.71]), having diploma and above(AOR= 4.26,[95 % CI ; 1.77, 10.2]), discussed maternal health
issues with health care providers(AOR = 2.47,[95% CI: 1.27 – 4.79]), joint decision to seek health
facility(AOR = 8.6, [95 % CI:4.16 – 17.7]), wife received more than 4 prenatal visits(AOR = 2.35,[95 %
CI:1.29, 4.28]), duration of living together in marriage(AOR= 10,[95% CI:3.89, 25.9]). , knowing at least
one timing of MTCT (AOR = 3.91, [95 % CI: 1.79 – 8.57]) and at least one PMTCT method (AOR = 5.71,
[95 % CI: 2.66 – 12.2]) were significantly associated with male partners involvement in HIV/AIDS testing
and counseling.
Conclusion: HIV testing uptake among partners of pregnant women was low. Having diploma and above,
discussed on maternal health issues with health care providers, joint decision to seek health facility, wife
receiving more than 4 prenatal visits, duration of living together in marriage, know at least one timing of
MTCT and at least PMTCT method were found to be significantly associated with male involvement in
HIV testing and counseling. Therefore, program designers and implementers should work on knowledge of
Partners on mother to child HIV transmission and prevention methods. In addition consider and strengthen
activities that increase couple HIV testing and counseling.
