Wyrod calls for male involvement in HIV testing in Uganda

Aug 04, 2017

Prof. Robert Wyrod has published a book from the research titled, AIDS and Masculinity in the African City”.

By Vivian Agaba and Monica Acan Amach

HEALTH|EDUCATION


Prof. Robert Wyrod, from the University of Colorado in the United States (US) has said for the country to eliminate the AIDS scourge, more men must be encouraged to test, and those found positive to be started on treatment immediately.


In June this year, President Yoweri Museveni launched a fast-track initiative to end AIDS by 2030.

Wyrod is an assistant professor in the department of Women and Gender Studies at the Colorado University.

 rof obert yrod from niversity of olorado olton addressing ournalists during the launch of his book  and asculinity in the frican city at ity lue otel Prof. Robert Wyrod from University of Colorado, Bolton addressing Journalists during the launch of his book ''AIDS and Masculinity in the African city at City Blue Hotel.

 
He has been doing research on the issues related to AIDS and Masculinity, using Bwaise as a case study since 2003.

He has published a book from the research titled, AIDS and Masculinity in the African City".

It examines how AIDs has changed lives in Bwaise and especially what it means to be a man in a place like Bwaise.

While launching the book at City Blue Hotel, Nakasero on Wednesday, he said during the research, he observed that majority of men are still reluctant to test for HIV/AIDs, and this puts their lives at risk and those of their loved ones.

He said most of them fear that when they test HIV positive, it means they are no longer true men, they wait till they are very sick, and in most cases, they have passed on the virus to their sexual partners.

"For men afraid to test, do not feel that testing means you cannot be a man anymore if you test positive. Treatment is available; you can still do things you think are important," he said.

"Do not wait until you are very sick and have passed on the virus to your girlfriends/wives. Test early, and if found positive, start on treatment to protect your loved ones and live healthier lives," he added.

Early this year, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) launched an ambitious treatment target known as 90%,90%,90% campaign to help end AIDs in the county.

By 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their status, 90% of all people who will be diagnosed with HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

Other key findings of the research

The book also reveals that there is persistence of masculine sexual privilege favouring men in the age of AIDS.

He explains that such privilege persists because, the context of insecure work and economic inequality makes maintaining multiple sexual partnerships a symbol of male status.

"Because most women have become economically empowered, some men feel threated and end up getting multiple sexual partners to show that they are still men," he said.

The research further shows that the promotion of women's rights has not fully addressed sexual double standards and therefore done a limited amount to directly challenge men's sexual privileges.

Then, the AIDS prevention efforts have largely not incorporated gender power imbalances and instead focus on individual behaviour change.

Why Bwaise

Wyrod said, even though it is a slum, it is a very typical type of community where many average people in Kampala live.

What others say about the book

Lori Michau, a co-director at Raising Voices says this is one of the most real researches around AIDS in Uganda, because the author spent a year and half living and working as a carpenter in Bwaise, as he did the research that talks about people's lives in and out, the good and bad.  

 ori ichau oirector aising oices  addressing ournalists at the aunch of the book  and asculinity in frican ity Lori Michau, Co-Director Raising Voices addressing Journalists at the Launch of the book "AIDS and Masculinity in African City

 
The executive director, Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP), Tina Musuya said many of the issues the research brings to light like masculine sex privilege, is what the  organization is grappling with.

She said the issue of masculine sex privilege needs to be addressed, because it is bringing HIV back into marital homes.

This is because even if a man has had sex outside the marriage, he will still demand for sex from the wife because he paid pride price.

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