Male Partners' Involvement in Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission in Africa: A Systematic Review

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); male partners are rarely present during prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services. This systematic review aims to synthesize; from a male perspective; male partners' perceived roles; barriers and enablers of their involvement in PMTCT; and highlights persisting gaps. We carried out a systematic search of papers published between 2002 and 2013 in eng on Google Scholar and PubMed using the following terms: men; male partners; husbands; couples; involvement; participation; Antenatal Care (ANC); PMTCT; SSA countries; HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing and disclosure. A total of 28 qualitative and quantitative original studies from 10 SSA countries were included. Men's perceived role was addressed in 28% (8/28) of the studies. Their role to provide money for ANC/PMTCT fees was stated in 62.5% (5/8) of the studies. For other men; the financial responsibilities seemed to be used as an excuse for not participating. Barriers were cited in 85.7% (24/28) of the studies and included socioeconomic factors; gender role; cultural beliefs; male unfriendly ANC/PMTCT services and providers' abusive attitudes toward men. About 64% (18/28) of the studies reported enablers such as: older age; higher education; being employed; trustful monogamous marriages and providers' politeness. In conclusion; comprehensive PMTCT policies that are socially and culturally sensitive to both women and men need to be developed

Tinea capitis among children at one suburban primary school in the City of Maputo, Mozambique

This study evaluated the prevalence of Tinea capitis among schoolchildren at one primary school and also identified the causative agents. Scalp flakes were collected from children presenting clinical signs suggestive of Tinea capitis. Dermatophytes were identified by following standard mycological procedures. This study found a clinical prevalence of Tinea capitis of 9.6 percent (110/1149). The dermatophytes isolated were Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton violaceum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The most prevalent causative agent in this study was Microsporum audouinii, thus confirming the findings from previous cross-sectional studies carried out in the city of Maputo.

O estudo avaliou a prevalência da Tinea capitis na população estudantil duma Escola Primária e também identificou os agentes causais responsáveis. Escamas do couro cabeludo foram recolhidas das crianças apresentando sinais clínicos sugestivos de Tinea capitis. Dermatófitos foram identificados seguindo procedimentos micológicos padronizados. Este estudo encontrou uma prevalência clínica de Tinea capitis de 9,6 por cento (110/1149). Os dermatófitos isolados foram Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton violaceum e Trichophyton mentagrophytes. O agente causal mais prevalente neste estudo foi Microsporum audouinii confirmando os achados dos estudos transversais anteriores levados a cabo na Cidade de Maputo.