Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission remains to be a significant problem in the country despite preventive efforts in the past years. In children, mother-to-child vertical transmission during pregnancy is the most common route. The World Health Organization has implemented the Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) program, which promotes a comprehensive approach in addressing this problem. Male partner involvement in antenatal voluntary HIV counseling and testing has been proposed to be a vital part of this approach. Their role in the process has not been studied in depth in the local setting. Objectives: The study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of male partners of pregnant women toward antenatal HIV screening in a local private tertiary hospital using a survey created by Belato et al. in 2016. Methodology: A descriptive analysis was done to present the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the participants. The association between the level of male partner involvement and independent variables was also tested. Results and Conclusions The results of the study revealed a high level of male partner involvement in the PMTCT of HIV services at 69.1%. Age of the male partner and the duration of the couple living together were significant factors associated with male partner involvement. However, there was lack of knowledge regarding HIV transmission, antenatal HIV testing, and PMTCT services among majority of the male partners. Community sensitization of men about the benefits of antenatal HIV testing and PMTCT services need to be prioritized to improve their awareness and their involvement in the program.
HIV ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; HIV Testing

Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Male ; Measles ; transmission ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious

No abstract available.
Female ; Hepatitis B/*transmission ; Humans ; *Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; *National Health Programs ; Pregnancy ; *Tertiary Care Centers

Female ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Humans ; Infant ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; prevention & control

Hepatitis B ; transmission ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical

Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Malaria ; congenital ; diagnosis ; transmission ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic

Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; prevention & control

Female ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Humans ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; prevention & control ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious

This paper reports on women's understanding of diseases believed to be sexually transmitted in the Asaro Valley of the Eastern Highlands Province. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) seemed to be a new category of disease as there were no local language terms for them. Women did not associate STDs with infertility. Although some symptoms were recognized and known to be sexually transmitted, STDs sometimes went untreated for years. STDs were thought of as milder than AIDS because they could be treated. Those informants who had good knowledge of AIDS claimed to have known an AIDS patient. It was interesting that those who knew an AIDS patient reported a change in sexual behaviour among people who saw the deteriorating state of their relative who was dying of AIDS. PIP: Women's perception of STDs in the Asaro Valley of the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea was studied along with the local language terms for reproductive tract infections. Considering that there are no known specific local language terms for diseases that are sexually transmitted, women tend to view STDs as a new category of disease. The study emphasizes the women's understanding of the risk factors, as well as signs and symptoms, causes and measures taken, behavior towards treatment, and suggestions concerning treatment and protection. Interviews were conducted with 30 women aged 17-50 years. 14 of those participated in the clinical side of a community- based STD study, while the rest provided information independently. Particular emphasis was given to sources of information on STDs, understanding of risk factors, signs and symptoms, causes and measures taken, attitude towards treatment, and suggestions for treatment and protection. Since the local language does not have a term to refer to any diseases thought to be passed on through sexual intercourse, three terms were used: "sik nogut" (bad sickness), gonorrhea, and syphilis; additionally, signs and symptoms were described rather than named. It was found that rumors and educated relatives were the primary sources of information about "sik nogut." One of the major findings was that women did not link infertility with STDs, even if symptoms were felt in and around the reproductive tract. The paper concludes that sexual intercourse, as identified by women, is the dominant mode of disease transmission in the Valley. Condoms are becoming acceptable but are not used because of their unavailability. An interesting finding in this study is the reported change in sexual behavior among people who have seen their relatives die of AIDS.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - ethnology ; Disease Transmission, Infectious - prevention & ; control ; Educational Status ; HIV Infections - transmission ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical - prevention & ; control