NACP Urges GHANET To Prioritize Male-Dominated Settings In HIV Testing
The National AIDS/STI Control Program (NACP) has called upon the Ghana HIV and Aids Network (GHANET) to focus on male-dominated settings for HIV testing. Dr. Stephen Ayisi Addo, the Program Manager for NACP, emphasized the need to address the low turnout of men in HIV testing, despite men being the dominant gender in the population.
Dr. Ayisi Addo highlighted the lower health-seeking behavior among men compared to women and stressed the importance of prioritizing men’s healthcare. To empower men who may hesitate to visit clinics, he suggested the implementation of HIV self-testing as a viable solution. Additionally, he recommended conducting community workshops and awareness campaigns to specifically target and engage men in healthcare initiatives.
This call for action aims to bridge the gap in HIV testing and ensure that men receive the necessary care and support. By focusing on male-dominated settings and adopting innovative approaches like HIV self-testing, GHANET and stakeholders can make significant strides in improving men’s healthcare outcomes.
Mr. Ernest Amoabeng Orstin, the President of GHANET, also mentioned that during their self-testing project, the highest number of positive HIV cases were among the youth, specifically those aged 24-25, 25-29, and 30-34. This increase in cases can be attributed to the project’s focus on targeting the youth population. Mr. Orstin also acknowledged the low turnout of men for self-testing, with only around 40 out of 100 men participating compared to a higher turnout among women. In the next phase of implementation, GHANET intends to prioritize and target men more effectively.
Furthermore, Mr. Orstin highlighted that the project has been working in 50 districts across the country, engaging with various local communities such as farmers, traders, and students. According to their database, out of the 123,880 test kits distributed, 202 individuals who tested positive are currently receiving treatment. However, Mr. Orstin believes that there may be more individuals who tested positive but have not yet reported their status or sought treatment, which could result in an increase in HIV cases in their next report. Therefore, he strongly encourages everyone to engage in self-testing for HIV to know their status.
