Men’s resistance towards involvement in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV programme in Dodoma municipality, Tanzania.

The study investigated factors for men’s resistance towards their involvement in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme in Dodoma municipality, Tanzania. It examined men’s attitude towards their involvement in PMTCT programme as well as their knowledge on PMTCT programme. It also identified other factors for men’s resistance towards participation in PMTCT. Finally, it identified measures being taken to promote men’s involvement in PMTCT. Mainly quantitative research method was employed to facilitate the study using descriptive survey study design. Data were collected from a sample of 336 respondents. Findings revealed that men had positive attitude but had inadequate PMTCT knowledge. It was also revealed that culture, ANC/PMTCT environment and role of ANC/PMTCT care providers acted as barriers towards men’s participation in the services. As for demographic variables only education acted as a predictor variable towards men PMTCT involvement with p value of 0.017. Priority of services to couple, provision of education to pregnant women and ward executive officers and village chairmen were identified as measures taken to involve men in the programme. Based on the research findings, the study concluded that education and communication strategies used in PMTCT should be diversified to include more men as equal partners in reducing mother to child transmission. It was recommended that customer care skills should be provided to ANC/PMTCT care providers and knowledge focusing on the importance of male partner participation and the effects of their delay in PMTCT participation should be provided.