Patriarchal notions and beliefs have socialized boys and men to perceive seeking treatment as a sign of weakness. As a result, boys and men have poor health-seeking behaviors, which affect the community and national health outcomes. All the health indicators by the national government show that boys and men are lagging behind in seeking treatment. Those who go for treatment present themselves very late when some of the diseases cannot be treated. The national Covid 19 data give evidence that more men succumbed during the pandemic. Men also have poor diets and eating habits, and many have acquired lifestyle-related diseases. Mental health is a major area of concern and men completely ignore this component of health.
Our interventions include but are not limited to the following:
- Transforming patriarchal attitudes that undermine health-seeking behavior among boys and men.
- Establishing friendly health services and facilities for boys and men.
- Testing, screening, and adherence to treatment among boys and men.
- Proper nutrition for boys and men.
- Mental health and psychological well-being for boys and men.
- Policy reforms on men’s health and response.
Objective: Boys and men adopt a health-seeking attitude for lifelong social, physical, and mental well-being in communities in Kenya.
According to UNAIDS, globally less than half of men living with HIV are on treatment. Studies show that men are more likely to start treatment late, to interrupt treatment and to be lost to treatment follow-up. Blind spot – Reaching out to men and boys | UNAIDS 2017