South Africa tries to enlist men in AIDS battle

Abigail Lucas
11/12/09
9:15

The media in South Africa is attempting to change ideas about sexuality and get men involved in the fight against AIDS. Millions of people in the South African population have HIV, however many of the clinics are mainly used by women which account for three quarters of the HIV tests conducted. One reason for this according to Dean Peacock is that “it is hard to go to a clinic and acknowledge your vulnerability as a man”. “Brothers for Life” is a campaign that is being used aimed to convince men to use condoms while also improving their access to treatment. Men tend to seek treatment for this disease later than women, but by the time they do their immune systems are already weakened. There are currently people working at making clinics only for men where they will be able to meet with a nurse, social worker, or an educator who are all men. These groups are leading awareness campaigns at football matches, in bars, and in the hostels that are home to many of the workers and taxi drivers. Media articles trying to gain awareness for men say things such as “There is a new man in South Africa”, “this new South African man’s self worth is not determined by the number of women he can have, and he makes no excuses for unprotected sex and respects women”.
I have never paid too much attention to the fact that you see way more women in HIV/AIDS campaign pictures or clips from African countries. I think that it is a good idea to have these safe places to go where they are able to get help and treatment for this problem instead of doing nothing about it because they may be seen as vulnerable.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h_ujVqXknT9GSRga8parbIQDq2Fw