Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Elimination of vertical HIV Transmission (VHT) and maternal deaths are global health priorities. Male
involvement is one of the most important factors that influences women’s decisions, including the uptake of
Prevention of vertical HIV transmission (P-VHT). We sought to understand not knowing a male partner’s HIV status
(MPHIVs) amongst women using services to prevent vertical HIV transmission in six South African districts with high
antenatal HIV burden.
METHODS : A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted in six South African districts, and data collected
through face-to-face interviews with women and focus group discussions (FGDs) with women or male partners. The
quantitative data were analyzed using STATA SE-17.0 and an inductive approach was used for qualitative data analysis.
RESULTS : Overall, 28.7% of women were unaware of their MPHIVs, while 25.3% and 46.0% knew the MPHIVs was
positive or negative, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression, single marital status and unplanned pregnancy
increased the odds of not knowing a MPHIVs while a woman’s disclosure of her HIV status to the male partner
reduced the odds. FDGs highlighted complexities around MPHIVs disclosure, e.g., reluctance to test for HIV and
potential interventions including healthcare worker (HCW) assisted HIV disclosure.
CONCLUSION : User-informed interventions to address MPHIVs non-disclosure amongst women of child-bearing age,
particularly those at risk of unstable sexual partners and unplanned pregnancies, should be strengthened.
