Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
BEHAVIOUR Change Community Motivator (BCCM) Ms Dorcas Mpofu, from Matabeleland South Province is changing how men from her community view HIV related issues.
Ms Mpofu from Insiza District, who is one of the cadres that have been deployed under the National Aids Council (NAC) led BCCM programme, is responsible for engaging men from her village on health issues such as HIV and Aids, cancer and other chronic illnesses, in order to improve their health seeking behaviours.
Ms Mpofu holds sessions with a group of about 20 men at a time and mentors each group for about two months. Once educated, the men have a role to share the message with others. The programme is part of NAC’s cocktail of measures to reduce new HIV infections and also to inculcate a sense of responsibility on health issues among men.
Ms Mpofu said during her sessions she encourages responsible action from men, in a bid to curb teenage pregnancies and child marriages.
“I have been educating people on health issues for a long time, but this time around the task I have is challenging as I have to deal with men. I had become used to teaching mixed groups and most of the time it would mostly be women. At first, I was scared and uncertain if my message was going to be received but the response I got was overwhelming”.
“Initially, a few men were forthcoming, but they are now attending in their numbers. I’m so delighted that we are changing lives in communities. In the past, men were not forthcoming in terms of health issues but they are now coming in their numbers. I educate them on issues to do with HIV, Aids, STIs, gender-based violence and child sexual exploitation and the need to seek medical assistance on time. They are accepting,” she said.
Men, who are benefitting from the programme said the sessions have become an eye opener for them.
Mr Themba Sibanda said he has learnt that as a man he needs to be proactive and take a stance in the fight against HIV and Aids. He said it is crucial to seek medical assistance in time, in order to avert complications. Mr Sibanda said there are some medical conditions, which men overlook such as prostate cancer, but they can be handled if presented to health institutions early.
The BCCM model is being implemented in Umzingwane, Insiza and Matobo districts in Matabeleland South Province.
NAC Matabeleland South provincial programmes co-ordinator Mr Wilfred Ngwenya, said targeting men and young boys is crucial in the fight against teenage pregnancies, early child marriages and child exploitation.
“This programme has a positive impact on communities. We are seeing a lot of men being referred to hospitals through this programme. We want community members to drop behaviour that may endanger their health. This programme is crucial in the fight against child sexual exploitation, child marriages and teen pregnancies, which remain high in Matabeleland South Province.
“The male engagement programmes seek to engage men to take up HIV prevention, testing and treatment options. Each district has 20 behaviour change community cadres, who conduct dialogues with 20 men over three months and conduct individual sessions with 16 men monthly,” he said.
Mr Ngwenya said this year, the programme has managed to reach 1 546 men with 330 having been referred for HIV testing.
Concerns have been raised in the past over low numbers of men accessing HIV related services. Their involvement is viewed as crucial in the fight against HIV and Aids. — @DubeMatutu
