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A Novel Intervention to Increase Male Involvement in Prevention of Parent to Child HIV Transmission

Received: 4 March 2015     Accepted: 13 March 2015     Published: 19 March 2015
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Abstract

Background: Prevention of Parent To Child Transmission (PPTCT) of HIV is a major intervention to stop the spread of HIV. Rates of <2% are possible with early combination antiretroviral therapy. Tearfund African PPTCT Alliance (TAPA) supports a network of African partners in PPTCT through a church-based community outreach. To promote quality, TAPA conducts periodic programme audits to strengthen male partner involvement in PPTCT. Methods: The present audit was conducted among 11 TAPA partners in August 2011 to determine factors responsible for poor Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV or PPTCT uptake in areas where churches and faith-based organizations work. Participants were all expectant mothers, male sexual partners and infants registered at these clinics. Each record was evaluated for evidence of HIV testing, results, treatment and prophylaxis against mother to child HIV transmission. Information on infant feeding patterns were also gathered. Intervention: In 2009, TAPA partners identified the need for a training toolkit to stimulate greater male partner involvement in PPTCT through antenatal clinics (ANCs) in church-based sites. The toolkit entitled “Guardians of our Children Health (GOOCH)” identified men as guardians of the health of their families and was designed to build the knowledge and skills of both parents to reduce HIV transmission to their infant. GOOCH has been successfully piloted by two organizations in Jos, Nigeria since 2008—Faith Alive Foundation (FAF) and ECWA AIDS Ministry (TEAM), as well as 14 other organizations across Africa. Lessons Learned: Male involvement in PPTCT through GOOCH increases rates of HIV testing among pregnant women (sometimes up to five times); motivates male partner involvement in PPTCT; and raises PPTCT awareness in communities. Records on men are not always kept at ANC clinics. Often there is a lack of follow up. National policies for ARV intervention are often inconsistent and change too quickly. Infant feeding patterns are mixed and not all programmes were able to obtain reliable data to assess this area of preventing transmission of HIV. Next Steps: Advocacy for improvements and scaling up of PPTCT especially with Nigeria being the lowest in Africa. Scale up GOOCH in communities where it was most effective and introduce it to communities where it is likely to have the greatest impact. Also, adopt the concept of Integrated Supportive Supervision trainings with integration of Maternal Child Health (MCH) into all levels of health care system.

Published in Science Journal of Clinical Medicine (Volume 4, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjcm.20150402.14
Page(s) 41-51
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Counselling services, HIV, Nigeria, PMTCT, PPTCT

References
[1] WHO (2012, April) 'Programmatic update: Use of antiretroviral drugs for treating pregnant women and preventing HIV infection in infants', Sunday, 1 April, 2012
[2] WHO (2010) 'Guidelines on HIV and Infant Feeding 2010', Geneva; Friday, 1 January, 2010.
[3] WHO (2010) 'Antiretroviral drugs for treating pregnant women and preventing HIV infection in infants: Towards Universal Access', Geneva; Friday, 1 January, 2010
[4] WHO (2013, June) 'Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection: Recommendations for a public health approach', Sunday, 30 June, 2013.
[5] UNAIDS (2012) ' World AIDS Day Report - Results'.
[6] Stringer, EM et. al (2012, 21st July) ' Coverage of nevirapine-based services to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in 4 African countries' JAMA 304(3).
[7] UNAIDS (2012) ' World AIDS Day Report - Results'.
[8] WHO (2012) ' World Health Statistics: 2012'.
[9] WHO (2012, April) 'Programmatic update: Use of antiretroviral drugs for treating pregnant women and preventing HIV infection in infants'’
[10] Christian Isichei, et al (2015).HIV prevalence and associated risk factors among rural pregnant women in North Central Nigeria. American Journal of Health Research;3(1):18-23
[11] WHO (2012, April) 'Programmatic update: Use of antiretroviral drugs for treating pregnant women and preventing HIV infection in infants'.
[12] Temmerman M. et al, " Mother-to-child HIV transmission in resource poor settings: how to improve coverage?", AIDS 17(8), 23 May 2003.
[13] Bulterys M. et al (26 January 2002), “Role of traditional birth attendants in preventing perinatal transmission of HIV", BMJ 324(7331).
[14] Lum H, Isichei C et al (2007). Expansion of HIV-1 Screening and Anti-Retroviral Treatment Programs in a Resource-Poor Setting: Results from a Faith-Based Organization in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. African Health Sciences, 7(2):88-95.
[15] UNICEF (2008, July) ' Guidance on ensuring effective supply chain planning for commodities needed for implementation and scale up of services for the prevention of mother to child transmission PPTCT of HIV infection'
[16] UNICEF (2008, July) ' Guidance on ensuring effective supply chain planning for commodities needed for implementation and scale up of services for the prevention of mother to child transmission (PPTCT) of HIV infection'.
[17] WHO (2013, June) ' Global update on HIV treatment 2013: Results, Impact and Opportunities'.
[18] UNICEF (2008, December) ' Children and AIDS: Third stocktaking report, 2008'.
[19] WHO (2013, June) ' Global update on HIV treatment 2013: Results, Impact and Opportunities'.
[20] Isichei CO, Zelalem Temesgen (2009) ed. HIV Counselling. In Fundamentals of Global HIV Medicine. American Academy of HIV Med.; Chapter 6: PP 61-64
[21] Wilfert C. (13 August 2006), ' Site Specific Factors Influencing Access to PPTCT Services, Trends with Time, and Suggestions for Improvement', XVI International AIDS Conference.
[22] WHO (2011) ' Towards the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV: Report of a WHO technical consultation (9-11 November 2010, Switzerland)'.
[23] Smart T. (14 July 2006), “Getting the most prevention and care out of programmes for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission", HIV & AIDS Treatment in Practice #70.
[24] Medley A. et al (April 2004), " Rates, barriers and outcomes of HIV serostatus disclosure among women in developing countries: implications for prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes", Bulletin of the World Health Organization 82(4).
[25] UNAIDS (2012) ‘Global Report: UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2012'.
[26] WHO/UNAIDS/UNICEF (2011) ‚' Global HIV/AIDS Response: Epidemic update and health sector progress towards Universal Access 2011'.
[27] PlusNews (2012, January 16th) ‘KENYA: The downside of male involvement in PPTCT ’.
[28] Smart T. and Sheriff L. (14 July 2006), " Getting the most prevention and care out of programmes for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission", HATIP
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Isichei Christian, Courtney Snelling Jennifer, Onwuezobe Caroline, Oyebode Tinuade, Mercy Isichei, et al. (2015). A Novel Intervention to Increase Male Involvement in Prevention of Parent to Child HIV Transmission. Science Journal of Clinical Medicine, 4(2), 41-51. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjcm.20150402.14

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    ACS Style

    Isichei Christian; Courtney Snelling Jennifer; Onwuezobe Caroline; Oyebode Tinuade; Mercy Isichei, et al. A Novel Intervention to Increase Male Involvement in Prevention of Parent to Child HIV Transmission. Sci. J. Clin. Med. 2015, 4(2), 41-51. doi: 10.11648/j.sjcm.20150402.14

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    AMA Style

    Isichei Christian, Courtney Snelling Jennifer, Onwuezobe Caroline, Oyebode Tinuade, Mercy Isichei, et al. A Novel Intervention to Increase Male Involvement in Prevention of Parent to Child HIV Transmission. Sci J Clin Med. 2015;4(2):41-51. doi: 10.11648/j.sjcm.20150402.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjcm.20150402.14,
      author = {Isichei Christian and Courtney Snelling Jennifer and Onwuezobe Caroline and Oyebode Tinuade and Mercy Isichei and Njab Jean and Adeyanju Segun and Johnson Rotimi},
      title = {A Novel Intervention to Increase Male Involvement in Prevention of Parent to Child HIV Transmission},
      journal = {Science Journal of Clinical Medicine},
      volume = {4},
      number = {2},
      pages = {41-51},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjcm.20150402.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjcm.20150402.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjcm.20150402.14},
      abstract = {Background: Prevention of Parent To Child Transmission (PPTCT) of HIV is a major intervention to stop the spread of HIV. Rates of <2% are possible with early combination antiretroviral therapy. Tearfund African PPTCT Alliance (TAPA) supports a network of African partners in PPTCT through a church-based community outreach. To promote quality, TAPA conducts periodic programme audits to strengthen male partner involvement in PPTCT. Methods: The present audit was conducted among 11 TAPA partners in August 2011 to determine factors responsible for poor Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV or PPTCT uptake in areas where churches and faith-based organizations work. Participants were all expectant mothers, male sexual partners and infants registered at these clinics. Each record was evaluated for evidence of HIV testing, results, treatment and prophylaxis against mother to child HIV transmission. Information on infant feeding patterns were also gathered. Intervention: In 2009, TAPA partners identified the need for a training toolkit to stimulate greater male partner involvement in PPTCT through antenatal clinics (ANCs) in church-based sites. The toolkit entitled “Guardians of our Children Health (GOOCH)” identified men as guardians of the health of their families and was designed to build the knowledge and skills of both parents to reduce HIV transmission to their infant. GOOCH has been successfully piloted by two organizations in Jos, Nigeria since 2008—Faith Alive Foundation (FAF) and ECWA AIDS Ministry (TEAM), as well as 14 other organizations across Africa. Lessons Learned: Male involvement in PPTCT through GOOCH increases rates of HIV testing among pregnant women (sometimes up to five times); motivates male partner involvement in PPTCT; and raises PPTCT awareness in communities. Records on men are not always kept at ANC clinics. Often there is a lack of follow up. National policies for ARV intervention are often inconsistent and change too quickly. Infant feeding patterns are mixed and not all programmes were able to obtain reliable data to assess this area of preventing transmission of HIV. Next Steps: Advocacy for improvements and scaling up of PPTCT especially with Nigeria being the lowest in Africa. Scale up GOOCH in communities where it was most effective and introduce it to communities where it is likely to have the greatest impact. Also, adopt the concept of Integrated Supportive Supervision trainings with integration of Maternal Child Health (MCH) into all levels of health care system.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

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    T1  - A Novel Intervention to Increase Male Involvement in Prevention of Parent to Child HIV Transmission
    AU  - Isichei Christian
    AU  - Courtney Snelling Jennifer
    AU  - Onwuezobe Caroline
    AU  - Oyebode Tinuade
    AU  - Mercy Isichei
    AU  - Njab Jean
    AU  - Adeyanju Segun
    AU  - Johnson Rotimi
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.sjcm.20150402.14
    T2  - Science Journal of Clinical Medicine
    JF  - Science Journal of Clinical Medicine
    JO  - Science Journal of Clinical Medicine
    SP  - 41
    EP  - 51
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2327-2732
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjcm.20150402.14
    AB  - Background: Prevention of Parent To Child Transmission (PPTCT) of HIV is a major intervention to stop the spread of HIV. Rates of <2% are possible with early combination antiretroviral therapy. Tearfund African PPTCT Alliance (TAPA) supports a network of African partners in PPTCT through a church-based community outreach. To promote quality, TAPA conducts periodic programme audits to strengthen male partner involvement in PPTCT. Methods: The present audit was conducted among 11 TAPA partners in August 2011 to determine factors responsible for poor Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV or PPTCT uptake in areas where churches and faith-based organizations work. Participants were all expectant mothers, male sexual partners and infants registered at these clinics. Each record was evaluated for evidence of HIV testing, results, treatment and prophylaxis against mother to child HIV transmission. Information on infant feeding patterns were also gathered. Intervention: In 2009, TAPA partners identified the need for a training toolkit to stimulate greater male partner involvement in PPTCT through antenatal clinics (ANCs) in church-based sites. The toolkit entitled “Guardians of our Children Health (GOOCH)” identified men as guardians of the health of their families and was designed to build the knowledge and skills of both parents to reduce HIV transmission to their infant. GOOCH has been successfully piloted by two organizations in Jos, Nigeria since 2008—Faith Alive Foundation (FAF) and ECWA AIDS Ministry (TEAM), as well as 14 other organizations across Africa. Lessons Learned: Male involvement in PPTCT through GOOCH increases rates of HIV testing among pregnant women (sometimes up to five times); motivates male partner involvement in PPTCT; and raises PPTCT awareness in communities. Records on men are not always kept at ANC clinics. Often there is a lack of follow up. National policies for ARV intervention are often inconsistent and change too quickly. Infant feeding patterns are mixed and not all programmes were able to obtain reliable data to assess this area of preventing transmission of HIV. Next Steps: Advocacy for improvements and scaling up of PPTCT especially with Nigeria being the lowest in Africa. Scale up GOOCH in communities where it was most effective and introduce it to communities where it is likely to have the greatest impact. Also, adopt the concept of Integrated Supportive Supervision trainings with integration of Maternal Child Health (MCH) into all levels of health care system.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos/Faith Alive Foundation, Jos, Nigeria

  • Tearfund, Global Outreach Division, Teddington , UK

  • Faith Alive Foundation, Jos, Nigeria

  • AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN), Jos, Nigeria

  • Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jos/Faith Alive Foundation, Jos, Nigeria

  • Department of Chemical Pathology, Bingham University, Jos Campus, Nigeria

  • Faith Alive Foundation, Jos, Nigeria

  • Faith Alive Foundation, Jos, Nigeria

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