Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
A BEHAVIOUR change community motivators programme targeting teenage and adolescent boys is equipping young men with the knowledge and skills to make responsible choices, strengthen HIV prevention and reduce risky behaviours.
The programme focuses on males aged 15 to 25 years and aims to boost male involvement in HIV programming, teenage pregnancy prevention and the fight against early child marriages and child exploitation.
Speaking after a session in Esihlengeni in Umzingwane District, National Aids Council (NAC) Umzingwane District Aids coordinator, Mr Mduduzi Ngwenya, said engaging boys at a young age is critical for long-term behaviour change.
“As NAC, we have two models which we are implementing in this district, which are the Sista2Sista model and the behaviour change community motivators’ programme. The Sista2Sista is targeting adolescent girls and young women, while the behaviour change community motivators programme is targeting males,” he said.
“We also have programmes which are being implemented by partners. Behaviour change training takes long hence the need for the youngsters to be educated so that they can carry this lifestyle onwards up to when they are elderly men.”
Umzingwane District currently has an HIV prevalence rate of 13,3 percent, compared to a national rate of 19,8 percent and a provincial rate of 15 percent, with over 8 000 people living with HIV.
Mr Ngwenya explained that NAC runs two key programmes in the district: the Sista2Sista model, which targets adolescent girls and young women and the behaviour change community motivators programme, focused on males. He noted that long-term training is essential to help the youth internalise these lessons.
Male mobiliser volunteers have been trained to guide young participants. Ms Sithokozile Moyo, a volunteer in Esihlengeni Ward Two, conducts three-month group training sessions for 20 youngsters at a time and supplements these with monthly individual sessions and door-to-door visits for 16 youths.
“In my experience, many young men initially misunderstand messages about HIV prevention and safe sexual practices, thinking they limit enjoyment. They later understand it’s about protecting themselves and their loved ones,” said Moyo.
She covers topics including HIV prevention, treatment, and sexually transmitted infections.
Participants report gaining valuable knowledge. Shelton Moyo (22) said the programme has taught him how men’s health choices affect not only themselves but also their families.
“I used to be embarrassed about HIV testing or STIs. Now I know that taking charge of my health is the best decision,” he said.
Similarly, Thabiso Moyo (21) highlighted that they also receive HIV test kits and condoms during sessions, while Ethan Magagula (17) emphasised the importance of learning about these issues at a young age and sharing the knowledge with peers.
Through the programme, Umzingwane aims to build a generation of informed young men who make responsible health decisions, ultimately strengthening the district’s HIV prevention efforts. — @DubeMatutu.
