Effect of Formal Letter of Invitation on Male Partner Involvement at Antenatal Care Clinic

Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) program requires great male participation in achieving a sustained reduction of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Many strategies have been employed to promote male participation in antenatal care but few have been assessed to convey important lessons for scale-up. In Ethiopia, though there is no evidence on its effectiveness, letter of invitation has been tried as a means to promote participation of men in PMTCT program at antenatal care. The study is carried out in two public hospitals to evaluate the effect of letter of invitation delivered through mother support group counselling on male involvement at antenatal care clinic. The findings of this study will directly benefit pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in utilizing PMTCT service effectively. The formal letter of invitation proposed may be incorporated by health service provider in their routine antenatal clinic. It will also help the policy makers to give greater priority to reach and involve men, and to develop effective policies as well as programs to overcome the challenges. Thus, an increase in the uptake of PMTCT services will ultimately lead to a reduction in pediatrics HIV infection.