This study aims to investigate factors that influence male partner involvement in eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission in Makueni County, Kenya. Male involvement is currently low, at 0.2% testing rate in antenatal clinics. The study will employ a mixed-methods design using questionnaires, focus groups, and key informant interviews to assess male involvement levels, how involvement influences elimination of transmission, and barriers/opportunities. Data will be collected from October 2022 to December 2022, analyzed from January 2023 to March 2023, and the thesis submitted by July 2023. Ethics approval will be obtained and informed consent, confidentiality, and participants' right to withdraw will be ensured. The budget is KSh 410

1. ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF MALE PARTNER
INVOLVEMENT IN ELIMINATION OF MOTHER
TO CHILD HIV TRANSMISSION IN
MAKUENI COUNTY
Supervisors
Dr. Louisa Ndunyu – HOD School of Public Health
Dr. Sam Wangila - PHD Director
…
Presenter
VALLENTINE OKUMU
MPH/PH/00014/021
PUBLIC HEALTH

2. Background
• In most African communities, male partners in
various family set ups are the key decision
makers among such decisions affect sexual and
reproductive health of the females.

3. Background
• Infants or even unborn can acquire HIV infection from their HIV
positive mothers during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding
(WHO, 2014).
• Male partner involvement towards elimination of mother to child
HIV transmission ranges from couple HIV testing in MCH, couple
disclosure of HIV status, family planning, support in terms of
finance, reminder to take ART pills, attend clinics, having safer
sexual intercourse (Machakaire E. 2012). Male support can
contribute highly to female partner good adherence to ART and
clinic hence reducing the risk of HIV transmission from mother to
child (Machakaire E. 2012).
• Male partner involvement aids in the identification of sero-
discordant couples at the ANC and improve anti-retroviral therapy
(ART) adherence by HIV infected women, which subsequently
increase the likelihood of having HIV exposed children testing
negative at 18months (Kalembo FW., 2013).

4. Gaps in Literature that warrant investigation
• Low couple testing in antenatal, labor and delivery and
postnatal
• Stigma in women identified HIV positive in MCH
• Little support by male spouses in reproductive health
matters
• Most researches on male partner involvement in
prevention of mother to child HIV transmission have
been done among females and not males
• Historically many PMTCT programs have organized
their services primarily inclined to women
• Women fear their spouses’ reaction and consequences
to HIV testing and disclosure of results
• PMTCT programs focus on women to utilize their
services including sexual and reproductive health with
less emphasis on men

5. Statement of the Problem
• According to Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, desired
target of MTCT rate is 5%, however this target has further been
reduced to 2% by the Global community in order to achieve
Elimination of mother to child HIV transmission (EMTCT). In
Kenya, mother to child HIV transmission rate (MTCT) rate was
still at 15% (Sirengo M. 2014). Reports from Kenya Health
Information System (KHIS, 2021) for Makueni county shows
male testing for HIV in antenatal clinic at 0.2% (46 out of 21 133
who attended 1st ANC during the year)
• Despite interventions by donor funded programs and health care
workers’ encouragement of women attending MCH to be
accompanied by their spouses, available data show only a few men
accompany their women. Even of the few who accompany their
women, not all accept HIV testing.

6. Justification of the Study
• In Makueni county has not achieved the 2%
EMTCT level as required by the UNAIDs. In
addition its male involvement level is as low as
0.2%.

7. Research Objectives
• General Objective of the Study
To find out various factors that influence male
involvement towards elimination of mother to child
HIV transmission in Makueni County
• Specific Objectives of the Study
– To assess level of male partner involvement towards
elimination of mother to child HIV transmission
– To explore ways in which male involvement influence
elimination of mother to child HIV transmission
– To explore the barriers and opportunities of male
involvement in EMTCT
– To explore health organization influence male
involvement in EMTCT services

8. Research Questions
• What is the level of male partner involvement
towards elimination of mother to child HIV
transmission in Makueni County?
• Which ways do male involvement influence
elimination of mother to child HIV transmission?
• What are the barriers and opportunities of male
involvement in EMTCT?
• How does the health organization influence male
involvement in EMTCT services?

9. Methodology
• Study Area
– Consider putting a map (complete with
longitudes/latitudes)
– Region
– Population
– Size
– Inhabitants

10. Methodology
• Study population
– Who is (are) the study participant(s)?
– Inclusion criteria
– Exclusion criteria

11. Methodology
• Study Design
– What type of design will your study employ?
– Quantitative or Qualitative or mixed methods?
Examples
• Case study/ case series
• Cross-section study
• Survey
• Cohort
• Clinical trials (Randomized )

12. Methodology
• Sample size calculation
– Formulae used to work out sample size
• Sampling Methods
Examples
– Simple random
– Systematic
– Cluster
– Stratified
– Convenient (purposive)

13. Methodology
• Data collection instruments
Examples:-
– Questionnaires
– Focused Group Discussion (FDG)
– Key Informants
– Photography

14. Methodology
• Conceptual framework (if applicable)
– A theoretical structure of assumptions, principles,
and rules that holds together the ideas comprising a
broad concept
– Theoretical
– Operational

15. Methodology
• Data processing and statistical analyses
– Data entry plan
– Data coding
– Analysis
– Statistical methods
– Data Presentation
• Graphs, figures, tables
– Pie charts, bar graphs, box plots, line graphs etc.

16. Methodology
• Statement of ethics in human research
– Process the consenting study participants
• State Belmont principles of human research ethics (Autonomy,
Beneficence and Justice) in relation to your study.
– State risks and benefits of study
– State limitations of the study
– Statement on volunteerisms to participate
– Statement of voluntary withdrawal of participants
– Statement of protection of confidentiality of participants
– Data processing and protection statement to protect
participants privacy and confidentiality
– Data dissemination plan
– Contact details of investigator and Institutional review
Board (IRB)

17. Time frame
ACTIVITY OCT 2022 – DEC2022 JAN2023– MAR 2023 APRI 2023 –JUN
2023
JULY 2023
Research Proposal and Preparatory
Phase
Data Collection and Storage
Data analysis and Thesis Write-up
Submission of Thesis

18. Budgetary Estimates
CATEGORIES
PRICES
KSh.
Consumables 51,400.00
Data collection instruments and related expenses 55,000.00
Tuition fees, travel expenses, conference attendance, stipend, 230 000.00
Materials for Data processing 36,500.00
TOTAL 372 900
10 % Contingency 37 290
GRAND TOTAL 410,190

19. Acknowledgement