Table 1 Characteristics of included articles

Aarnio et al 2009 [19].

Malawi, Rural.

Cross sectional/mixed method.

388 men and 11 focus groups.

To explore men’s perception on HIV in pregnancy and their involvement in antenatal VCT.

4/4

Aluisio et al 2011 [14].

Kenya, Urban.

Prospective cohort.

510 HIV infected pregnant women.

To investigate the relationship between male involvement in PMTCT and infant HIV acquisition/ mortality.

7/9

Becker et al 2010 [38].

Tanzania, Urban.

RCT.

1521 pregnant women.

To evaluate the acceptance/ effectiveness of couple VCT relative to individual VCT in ANC.

2/5

Byamugisha et al 2010 [34].

Uganda, Urban.

Case control.

54429 pregnant ANC attendees.

To describe the first seven years of the PMTCT programme.

6/8

Byamugisha et al 2011 [36].

Uganda, Urban.

RCT.

1060 pregnant women.

To evaluate the effect of an invitation letter to spouses on couple attendance and partner acceptance of HIV testing.

5/5

Desgrees-Du-Lou et al 2009a [42].

Cote d’Ivoire, Urban.

Cohort.

937 pregnant women.

To determine the effect of prenatal VCT on couple communication about STIs, HIV and sexual risk prevention.

6/9

Ditekemena et al 2011 [45]

Democratic Republic of Congo, Urban.

RCT.

2706 pregnant women.

1) To identify alternative strategies to increase male participation in VCT 2) To explore factors associated with male/couple participation in VCT.

3/5

Falnes et al 2011 [39]

Tanzania, Urban and Rural.

Cross sectional/ Mixed method.

426 postpartum women bringing their children for the first dose of vaccine plus 9 FGD.

To explore the acceptability of the PMTCT programme and identify structural/ cultural challenges to male involvement.

4/4

Farquhar et al 2001 [15]

Kenya, Urban.

Cohort.

172 HIV seropositive pregnant women.

To determine the association between partner notification and infant feeding decisions.

7/9

Farquhar et al 2004 [25]

Kenya, Urban.

Cohort.

2836 pregnant women

To assess the impact of partner involvement, on perinatal intervention uptake and condom use.

8/9

Homsy et al 2006 [23]

Uganda, Rural.

Cross sectional.

3591 pregnant women accepting HIV counselling and testing.

To determine the acceptability, feasibility and uptake of intrapartum HIV counseling and testing and PMTCT services by women, men and couples.

4/4

Jasseron et al 2011 [35]

France, Urban and rural.

Cohort.

2952 pregnant women.

To identify the proportion non-disclosure of HIV, and the associated factors, and the impact of non-disclosure on PMTCT uptake.

7/9

Kakimoto et al 2007 [33]

Cambodia, Urban.

Case control.

20757 pregnant ANC attendees during the study period.

To evaluate the influence of partner participation in the mother class to PMTCT services.

6/8

Katz et al 2009a [47]

Kenya, Urban.

Cohort.

313 men accompanying their spouses to ANC.

To understand male non-disclosure of HIV status in antenatal care.

6/9

Katz et al 2009b [48]

Kenya, Urban.

Cohort.

313 men accompanying their spouses at ANC.

To identify methods to increase male involvement in antenatal VCT.

5/9

Kiarie et al 2006 [16]

Kenya, Rural.

Prospective cohort.

2836 pregnant women attending antenatal care.

To determine the impact of domestic violence on uptake of interventions to PMTCT.

7/9

Kizito et al, 2008 [32]

Uganda, Urban.

Case control.

20738 pregnant ANC attendees.

To describe uptake of HIV and syphilis testing in a PMTCT programme.

6/8

Mbonye et al 2010 [37]

Uganda, Rural.

Cross sectional.

10706 women age 14-49 years.

To explore perceptions, care-seeking practices and barriers to PMTCT among young HIV positive women.

4/4

Mohlala et al 2011 [20]

South Africa, Urban.

RCT.

1000 pregnant women with gestational age less than 30 weeks

To assess the acceptability/ feasibility of pregnant women inviting their male partners to ANC and VCT

3/5

Msuya et al 2008 [40]

Tanzania, Urban.

Cohort.

2654 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Prevalence and predictors of male partner participation in HIV VCT, and the effect of partner participation on uptake of PMTCT interventions.

6/9

Nkuoh et al 2010 [44]

Cameroon, Rural.

Cross sectional.

252 men completed the survey.

To identify barriers to men participating in their wives’ ANC and obtaining HIV testing.

2/4

Shankar et al 2003 [46]

India, Urban.

Cross sectional/mixed method.

144 women, 100 men, 15 in-depth interviews.

To determine the acceptability for HIV testing within ANC and delivery room.

3/4

Theuring et al 2009 [41]

Tanzania, Urban.

Cross sectional mixed method.

124 men and 6 FGDs.

To learn about men’s perspectives on and the experiences with ANC.

3/4

Tonwe-Gold et al 2009 [43]

Cote d'Ivoire, Urban.

Cross sectional.

605 HIV infected pregnant women.

To describe a family focused approach to HIV care and treatment.

6/9