HIV high among homosexual men in Mpumalanga

A staggering 28, 3 per cent of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Gert Sibande district, and 13,7 per cent in the Mpumalanga province, have HIV.

This is according to the latest study conducted by the Anova Health Institute. The study also found that regular HIV testing was uncommon in these areas.

What’s more, among HIV-positive participants, few knew their status, were appropriately linked to care, or taking antiretroviral therapy. These results highlight the unmet need for targeted MSM interventions to increase consistent condom use, regular HIV testing and linkage and engagement in care for HIV-infected MSM.

To address this, WeTheBrave.co.za launched in Mpumalanga in March.

This is the first large-scale sexual health campaign ever in this country to specifically address gay men and other men who have sex with men. The WeTheBrave.co.za campaign, spearheaded by the Anova Health Institute and funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation, addresses both prevention and treatment issues in an affirming, non-judgemental and sex positive way, that is not only entertaining but engaging too.

“We hope that as a result of the campaign,  MSM in Mpumalanga will have the knowledge and opportunities to prevent new HIV infections, that they will understand the benefits of regular HIV testing to know their status and that they will use antiretroviral treatment when and if they need it,” said Anova Health Institute CEO Prof. James McIntyre.

WeTheBrave.co.za recognises that MSM face stigma, discrimination and even violence, but calls on them to be brave enough to overcome this and take care of their sexual health and that of their partners.

The WeTheBrave.co.za campaign links to Anova’s Health4Men clinical services in the public sector and independent clinicians in the private sector.

The campaign launched in Johannesburg in June last year and in Cape Town in February 2016.