SysteMALEtizing Resources for Engaging Men in Sexual and Reproductive Health

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SysteMALEtizing Resources for Engaging Men in Sexual and Reproductive Health:
STI and HIV/AIDS Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment

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Men can also play an important role in HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Societal expectations of men’s sexual behavior, including early sexual initiation, multiple sexual partners, risky behavior, and aggression in sexual relationships, puts both men and their partners at risk of HIV. The acceptance of a large age gap between men and their female partners provides additional risks of HIV infection to girls and women. Further, men and boys are expected to be knowledgeable about sex, which limits their willingness and ability to access information on HIV prevention. Programs that address these societal norms and expectations can help men take steps to protect themselves and their partners and support them to engage in healthy sexual behavior.

Counseling, testing, and treatment programs can reach out to men to ensure they are being tested and receiving appropriate services. These programs can also work to ensure that men are involved in PMTCT services, and that men are supportive of their partners upon disclosure of serostatus and in accessing and adhering to treatment. Finally, HIV/AIDS programs can engage male partners and other men in the community to share in caretaking responsibilities, thereby easing the burden of caring for people infected and affected by AIDS that disproportionately falls on women and girls.

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Overview of the Issues:

Program Examples:

Programmatic Tools:

Research and Evaluation: