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Consequences of male partner engagement policies on HIV care-seeking in three African countries: Findings from the SHAPE UTT study.
- Source :
- Global Public Health; Feb2021, Vol. 16 Issue 2, p216-226, 11p
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- We explored how strategies to promote male partner engagement influenced HIV care-seeking among men and women living with HIV. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 health workers, 66 female service users and 10 male partners in Ifakara (Tanzania), Karonga (Malawi) and uMkhanyakude (South Africa) to elicit experiences of offering, providing or receiving HIV care in the context of antenatal care. Data were coded inductively and analysed thematically. Participants reported benefits of couple testing during antenatal care, including facilitated HIV status disclosure and mutual support for HIV care-seeking. However, unintended consequences included women attending without partners, being refused or delayed access to antenatal services. Some women were required to obtain letters from village leaders to justify the absence of their partners, again to delaying or disrupting care-seeking. When partners attended antenatal care, consultations were reportedly more likely to focus on HIV testing, and less on antenatal or neonatal care. Strategies to increase men's attendance at HIV clinics with their partners can promote mutual support within couples for HIV care engagement, but may risk undermining engagement in pregnancy and HIV care for some women if over-stringently applied. Efforts are needed to address the underlying pervasive stigma associated with HIV care, both alone and as a couple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- ATTITUDE (Psychology)
EXPERIENCE
HEALTH promotion
HEALTH services accessibility
HEALTH status indicators
HELP-seeking behavior
HIV infections
HIV-positive persons
INTERVIEWING
RESEARCH methodology
MEDICAL care
MEDICAL personnel
HEALTH policy
MEN
PATIENT compliance
PATIENTS
PRENATAL care
RESEARCH funding
SELF-disclosure
SOCIAL stigma
WOMEN
PATIENT participation
JUDGMENT sampling
SOCIAL support
THEMATIC analysis
PATIENTS' attitudes
SEXUAL partners
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 17441692
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Global Public Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 148343773
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1805788