By Brenna Matendere
A National Aids Council spearheaded male engagement program has transformed men in Magunje, Mashonalan West, on their perception regarding HIV prevention, care and treatment.
Working with its partners, NAC rolled out the programme in the area which is agro based.
Men of adult ages are targeted by female sex workers as they harvest tobacco and become liquid.
The female sex workers travel from all walks of life to offer their services therefore raising the risk of new HIV and STI infections.
However the male engagement programme rolled out by NAC in the area is pushing back the risk.
“The condom distribution programme has received high uptake because we have been undergoing dialogue meetings which have opened our minds on HIV prevention,” said 33 year old Brian Mapemba.
His colleague, Nyasha Mangena, 47 concurred.
“We used not yo care about protective sex because the girls who come when we have money from tobacco are too tempting. However we have now changed our behaviour and the condom uptake is growing. We give thanks to the Nac programme,” said Nomore Mabaleka.
The programme is being replicated in several other districts of Mashonaland West.
The province is heeding to the target of ending Aids by 2030.
Matthew Gela, Behaviour Change and Community Development coordinator for Magunje, said he had mobilised three groups in the area under the programme.
“We are seeing positive change in behaviour of the group members since we started. Others had problems of stigma on HIV issues but I am happy they are now warming up to the programme,” he said.
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