HIV testing is an important tool in combating the virus in a country with the highest HIV prevalence rate in the world. However, young men are reluctant to take a test because they have multiple sexual partners and are concerned about testing positive.
South Africa and the rest of the world celebrate World AIDS Day on December 1st to express unity in the fight against HIV. It also supports people living with HIV and millions of people who have lost their lives to AIDS.
In 2019, over 7.9 million people are expected to be living with HIV in South Africa. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) topped the list with a prevalence of 27%. Health-e News visited eThekwini to find out what drives young men’s reluctance. It is estimated that nearly 650,000 people are living with HIV in the province.
Several factors behind the hesitation
Lindani Msimango, research psychologist at the Center for the AIDS Research Program in South Africa (CAPRISA), said there were many reasons young men would not want to take a test.
“We found a deterrent to testing due to a low perceived risk of HIV, as they claim to be careful during sex. They also fear their HIV status and do not like the way they are treated by health workers in the facilities.
Msimango also mentioned stigma as one of the biggest deterrents.
“Aside from the stigma, people have privacy concerns when they are tested in the clinic,” he said.
Sexual behavior is the main culprit
Njabulo Ngema, 27, identified multiple partners and unsafe sex as the number one deterrent.
“Having more than one partner creates fear of an HIV test. There is a high chance of contracting the virus if you do not use protection while working with multiple partners, ”the Durbanite said.
Another young man who did not want to be identified said he would not be able to handle knowing he was HIV positive.
“I don’t think I can handle it, the stress is getting unbearable,” said the 22-year-old.
He added that his girlfriend recently tested negative and is feeling relieved. “I think if it’s negative I should be safe too,” he said.
What is the solution?
The South African National HIV Testing Services (HTS) Policy (2016) states that testing services should be made available in all public and private health facilities and by NGOs that offer HTS. The directive also underlines that it is the duty and responsibility of health workers to educate people about the risk so that people can make informed decisions about getting an HIV test.
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Government and civil organizations play their part in encouraging everyone to know their status. The KZN Health Department has a Voluntary Advice and Test Service (VCT) that offers free tests and advice for everyone. Through this initiative, the government is encouraging everyone, including young men, to test for HIV.
There is a lack of awareness of HIV testing
Msimango expressed concern about the lack of awareness of HIV testing.
“Although there are initiatives like VCT, little is known about the importance of HIV testing today. This could be due to advances in HIV treatment and the focus now on prevention rather than status knowledge. This could have an impact on UNAIDS ’95-95-95 ‘goals to end AIDS by 2025, “he added.
The UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for 2025 aim for 95% of those infected with HIV to know their status, 95% of those who know their status are under treatment, and 95% of those infected with HIV under treatment are viral are suppressed. These were previously updated from the 90-90-90 2020 goals that reached some countries but could not be achieved at the global level. Msimango said the first 95 could be affected as there is less emphasis on raising awareness of the importance of testing. It calls for these initiatives to be reintroduced despite advances in HIV treatment. – Health-e news
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