Male Partners Involvement in Human Immune Deficiency Virus Testing and Counseling in Bichena town: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective Transmission of HIV from mother to child remains a significant problem in developing countries. Male partner involvement in HIV testing and counseling is a major entry point for the PMTCT. This study aimed to assess male partner involvement in HIV testing and counseling. A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 1–15/2019 among 406 male partners. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 23.0 version. Logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratio with a confidence interval of 95% and a P-value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results In this study, 41.4% [95% CI: 36.2–46.1%] of male partner was involved in HIV testing and counseling. In multivariable analysis male partners who are found in the age group of 20–29 years, secondary, and diploma and above educational level, good knowledge of the services provided in the ANC visits, male partners whose wife had ≥ 4 ANC visits, knowledge of MTCT and PMTCT, entered the ANC room together with his wife, discussed maternal health issue with health care providers, and traveled < 15 minutes to reach a nearby health facility were associated with male partner involvement in HIV testing and counseling.