MBABANE – Despite the importance of maintaining good health, men’s health-seeking behavior in Eswatini continues to pose a significant challenge. Few men visit health facilities, and those who do often report late, which complicates their health status and hampers the effectiveness of medical interventions.
According to Muzie Yende, the Communications, Outreach and Advocacy Advisor at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), one of the most pressing issues the country faces is the continued reluctance of men to seek timely medical attention.
Yende said according to feedback collected by The ASPIRE Project, a project implemented by the Foundation with support from PEPFAR through USAID, on the reasons for poor health seeking behavior amongst men, cultural norms and societal expectations often discourage men from acknowledging health problems and seeking help, resulting in late diagnoses of various conditions, from chronic illnesses to infectious diseases, leading to more severe health outcomes and higher healthcare costs.
“When men finally do seek care, their conditions are often advanced, requiring more intensive and prolonged treatment,” Yende said, adding that such a behavior does not only affects individual men, but also has broader public health implications.
He said men play a critical role in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, hence it is important for them to take their health serious if the country is to eliminate pediatric HIV. He said involving men in health interventions and encouraging them to support their partners is crucial for the success of PMTCT programs in the country.
Yende said when men are informed and actively participate in health-seeking behaviors, they contribute to the overall health and well-being of their families and communities, as they are able to take lead on health issues.
Recognizing these challenges, Yende said, with the USAID support, various initiatives have been launched to improve men’s health in Eswatini. He said the project supports the Ministry of Health in running the Mbabane Male Wellness Clinic and other male outpatient departments in health facilities such as Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital, Dvokolwako Government Hospital, and Matsanjeni Health Centre.
He said these health facilities offer a comprehensive health service package designed to address the unique needs of men. Services include HIV services, screening and treatment for chronic diseases, sexual and reproductive health services, and Voluntary Medical Circumcision, amongst others. The clinics are staffed with friendly and professional healthcare workers who are dedicated to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for men.
Yende said as the month of June has been designated as a key month for encouraging men to take charge of their health, it was important for men to visit these facilities and take advantage of the comprehensive health services available. The emphasis is on proactive health management, regular check-ups, and early intervention to prevent and treat illnesses before they become severe.
With the USAID support, Yende said they were working tirelessly to break the barriers that prevent men from seeking healthcare, with the main goals being to create an environment where men feel comfortable and supported in taking care of their health.
The effort to improve men’s health in Eswatini requires a multi-faceted approach. It involves not only providing accessible and high-quality healthcare services but also challenging and changing the cultural norms that discourage men from seeking care. Yende said by encouraging men to seek timely medical attention and supporting them with comprehensive health services, initiatives like those supported by the USAID are making significant strides.
He appreciated the USAID support in reaching men with comprehensive health services, saying public health campaigns, community outreach, and education are essential in ensuring that men are reached with health services.
