KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV AMONG MARRIED MEN ATTENDING THE ANTIRETROVIRAL CLINIC IN AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL, KANO, NIGERIA

Abstract Background: The Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programme was introduced as a comprehensive package of interventions to reduce Mother–to–Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The programme offers an opportunity to identify pregnant women and their partners to prevent the transmission of HIV to the baby. This study is aimed at assessing the knowledge and practices of married HIV positive male partners towards PMTCT. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study that interviewed 220 HIV positive male partners using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that 145 respondents (65.9%) were between the age group of 31 and 40 years. More than half 130 (59%) of the respondents had good knowledge of PMTCT, while 135 (61.4%) of the respondents had good practice of PMTCT. Respondents with formal education were 1.5 times more odds of having knowledge of the PMTCT programme than those having informal education [p=0.03, AOR=1.53, 95%CI = (1.98-4.54)]. Similarly, respondents with formal education were 2.5 times more likely to practice the PMTCT programme than those having informal education [p=0.03, AOR=2.53, 95%CI = (1.63-4.54)]. In addition, Male partners who were above 30 years of age were 3 times more likely to participate in PMTCT activities compared to those who were less than 30 years [p=0.02, AOR=2.17, 95%CI = (0.01-4.12)]. Conclusion: While many male partners know about the PMTCT program, significant gaps exist in both their knowledge and active participation. To improve PMTCT uptake and decrease MTCT, it is essential to strengthen male involvement through targeted, culturally sensitive interventions.