Brenna Matendere
Growing up in Hurungwe, Mashonaland West, Nomore Mverechena (56) believed in a hardline masculine discourse that made him believe it was a weakness for a man to seek HIV related health care services.
For him, the role of men in society was associated with strength and strict alignment with traditional practices whereupon seeking HIV services could not arise.
Herbalists and sorcerers for him cured all.
His beliefs are in line with the findings of a 2013 study conducted by Nzama and Ntokozo on masculinity and men’s health-seeking behaviours among black/African men in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The research paper is titled: “Masculinity and men’s health seeking behaviours amongst Black/ African men : the case of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.”
Part of the paper which highlights that cultural beliefs and society norms influences men on health care reads:
“The factors which determine health seeking behaviours amongst men can be influenced by physical accessibility, level of education, employment status, income level, cultural beliefs as well as political.
“It is imperative to note that the utilisation of both public and private health care is determined by socio-demographic factors, levels of education, religion, cultural beliefs and practices as well as society. Peers also play a fundamental role in the decision to seek health care.”
The National Aids Council (Nac) has noted the health-seeking tendencies on men like Mverechena who would seek HIV related services at very late stages of illness or not at all when feeling well.
In response, Nac since set up a Behaviour Change and Community Motivator (BCCM) programme in Hurungwe as part of plethora of HIV intervention strategies meant to encourage men and communities to change their behaviour.
The intervention is addressing HIV related knowledge gaps, attitudes, risk perception, norms and HIV services demand.
Led by a behaviour change motivator, groups of men sit together twice a month to discuss issues and break masculinity challenges on HIV issues.
This reporter attended one of the meetings where Mverechena was present.
The group of men that gathered under a tree in Hurungwe’s ward’s 10, Magunje area, sharing ideas on HIV and Aids.
“I did not believe in going to a clinic for any services when I was not ill. That is what we grew up knowing. I saw that as a weakness and in fact I would mock men going to a clinic by referring them as ‘women’. I thought it was meant for women only to go seek health services,” Mverechena said.
“But now after Nac introduced this programme, where we come and meet as men to discuss those issues, I am a changed man now.
Other elderly villager said the programme was helpful.
“We usually come here twice a week for these kinds of deliberations,” said Solomon Chekumarara of Mudhema village.
“The discussions are proving to be helpful because as men we now understand our role in the response to HIV and Aids.
“We now understand the purpose of accompanying our wives to the hospital and why it is important to get HIV test alongside your partner.”
Chekumarara said he live close to Magunje Growth Point, which becomes a hive of activity during the tobacco marketing season.
“Our township is the growth point and it is a hive of activity during the tobacco selling season,” he said.
“Through this training we now know what it means to use protection, especially condoms which we normally get here when we come for these trainings.
“Condoms are also available in bars, clubs and health centres.”
A traditional leader in the area, headman Nzunguchena, born Washington Muchenwa, bemoaned the prevalence of HIV in young adults in the area. He attributed it to child marriages.
“It is an elephant in the room,” he said.
“Very young girls are being married off because of poverty. We also have challenges with churches that continue to marry off young girls.
“As traditional leaders we are working round the clock to deal with the scourge.”
Headman Nzunguchena believes roping in men through programmes like behaviour change and community motivator will go a long way in tackling child marriages in the area.
“This programme is doing wonders in the community,” he said.
“We are seeing the results because it is us men who marry off or marry these children.
“If we are empowered like this it helps a lot and we want to see men from the white garment sect joining us in such programmes.”
Mathew Gela, a behaviour change community motivator, who led the gathering, said the programme was meant to increase men’s knowledge about HIV and Aids.
“The idea is to change the perception of men and increase their understanding about HIV and Aids, especially here in Magunje where the majority are farmers,” said Gela.
“Men here now understands the importance of using condoms, they know the bad side of child marriages and the effects of gender-based violence.
“They are now amplifying that message in the community and beyond because they are now empowered.”
Gela said there has been a demand of pre-exposure and post exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention in Hurungwe, thanks to the BCCM programme.
He said when a male partner is roped in HIV programmes, both partners get to know their status, and dangerous practices like forced breastfeeding or forced early weaning were unlikely to occur.
District Aids Coordinator for Hurungwe Admire Takawira believes programmes such as the BCCM were meant to address such.
“It’s true and we have chipped in with the BCCM programme with the aim of fostering a change in sexual behaviour, and to increase HIV service utilisation and adherence to HIV services and behaviours,” Takawira said.
“We are working with our mentors who are drawn from the communities and help lead discussions on HIV and Aids issues.
“We are seeing the results, condom uptake has gone up and there is an increase in the uptake of health services by men.”
Takawira said Magunje Growth Point was among HIV hotspots in Hurungwe district, hence strategically bringing the BCCM programme closer.
He said the Nac was also implementing a number of interventions programmes meant for adolescent girls and young women in the district.
