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Thandeka Moyo, Health Matters
On Thursday we celebrated Africa Day, a day set aside to acknowledge the heritage, culture and the liberation of the continent.

I know for a fact that quite a number of men led their spouses, girlfriends, children and families to restaurants and pubs to chill and enjoy the midweek public holiday.

However, a day before Africa day, I bumped on scary statistics that show the same men have never been able to lead the way into health institutions for tests or anything to do with healthcare.

Only an average of 15 percent men in Bulawayo care to accompany their pregnant spouses to seek antenatal care.

This may be justified by the fact that men will be at work but that does not exempt them from the necessary services offered during such visits.

A friend of mine said men generally hate the queues at clinics and often do not have time to sit through lengthy discussions about HIV and Aids and hygiene.

“Pregnant women are required to do those visits monthly and I cannot waste time sitting on those benches only to be told that I need to be tested.

Truthfully the fact that pregnant women test for HIV is one reason that make us dread going for the antenatal visits,” he said.

He said if his wife tests, there won’t be any reason for him to do so too as they probably have the same status.

“Sometimes we unintentionally impregnate girlfriends whom we do not intend marrying and I cannot risk my marriage by visiting a local clinic with her as chances are, I will meet people who know my wife.

“Secondly we feel testing in the presence of our wives exposes us and we will not be free to discuss our sexual activities.”

He adds that he is not comfortable especially with the testing part as he knows his risky behaviour may result in the wife also testing positive.

“Frequenting hospitals is a sign of weakness for most men and we also fear being labelled by friends, workmates and other men who may spot me by my wife’s side off to the clinic.

“I trust my wife and I know for a fact that if she may ever test positive, I will be to blame. Therefore I can always be sure of my status by hers, if she tests negative then there is no need for me to test again since we are one.”

He adds that he knows a lot about HIV and Aids hence has no need to be worry about what is discussed in clinics.

“We have heard of HIV since we were teenagers and really there is nothing new. I can only worry about my status when I fall sick but the most I can do now is to provide my wife with everything and even pay a taxi to take her to the clinic for her antenatal visits,” he says laughing out loud.

Mr Douglas Moyo from the National Aids Council says the poor health seeking behaviour in men will slow down efforts towards eradicating HIV.

“It’s sad to note that men are still reluctant to go for antenatal care visits let alone lead their families into health institutions to get tested. Men always have a list of reasons to justify their attitude towards testing and eventually it puts the life of the pregnant woman and the unborn child at risk,” says Mr Moyo.

“Men cannot safely claim they know their status through their wives. Women may test negative for the first time and they need a second test after the window period to confirm the results. Men must take life seriously and use their leadership to make their families health conscious.”

He said the proportion of men taking up HIV testing services in antenatal care is low which calls for appropriate programming that encourages men to test.

“I urge fellow men to spend more time with their families and be able to open up about health issues. Others have failed just to take their wives and children out for drinks and opening up about HIV becomes a mammoth task,” adds Mr Moyo.

According to the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), about 74 percent of Zimbabweans know their HIV status. The remainder are children who need support and guidance from parents especially men to take up HIV testing counselling so that the country meets the 2020 target. By 2020 at least 90 percent of all people must know their HIV status.

If men lead their families to test for HIV early, not only will Zimbabwe be able to meet the 2020 target but save millions spent on treating HIV.

I therefore call on men to stop the hate and use all they have to ensure their families seek treatment and get tested for HIV among other diseases.

Let’s all take time to suggest health topics that can be discussed in this forum for a healthier community and nation. — @thamamoe

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