South Africa currently has one of the highest rates of HIV transmission in the world; it also has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence. In order to address these often closely related issues, AVSC International and the Planned Parenthood of South Africa (PPASA) launched a program 3 years ago to provide outreach education to men on gender matters, violence prevention, and other reproductive health concerns, particularly HIV infection. At the start of the project, PPASA commissioned the Reproductive Health Research Unit to conduct a study on men’s knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding reproductive health issues. A total of 2,141 men between the ages of 16 and 60, from urban and rural settings, in all 9 provinces were interviewed. Results provided insight into key issues of concern, particularly a low condom usage rate. This finding, coupled with a figure of 58% of men who said they had never used a condom and thought a woman could not be raped by her husband , confirmed that programmatic interventions must include addressing men’s attitudinal and behavioral issues to safeguard their partners’ and their own reproductive health status. Evaluations from five day workshops conducted with youth, parents, prisoners, military personnel, traditional leaders, and workplace employees demonstrate that men are anxious for the opportunity to ask questions, discuss concerns, and begin to change harmful behavior. Preliminary evidence suggests that men, especially young men, are both willing and motivated to change the gender scripts that put both their partners and themselves at risk for HIV/AIDS.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1) List 3 key issues that put men and women at risk for HIV infection in South Africa (and other places.) 2) Recognize the role that gender plays in scripting sexual behavior between men and women 3) Describe a programmatic intervention that shows promise in terms of changing men’s behavior to safeguard their partners’ and their own reproductive health status.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Partner Involvement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.