The coverage of the male friendly health services in promoting HIV testing among men in Wanging’ombe District, Njombe Region, Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Men in sub-Saharan Africa are less likely than women to engage in HIV testing services resulting in fewer men aware of their HIV status. Reasons for poor HIV testing among men is associated with individual, social and structural barriers. Structural barriers include lack of services perceived to be friendly by men such as male health care provider and extension of service working hours at the facility. To address this problem, The USAID Boresha Afya Southern zone prograam embarked into implementation of an intervention known as Male friendly health services in five regions in Tanzania. Objective: To assess the coverage of the male friendly health services in promoting HIV testing among men in Wanging’ombe district in Njombe region, Tanzania. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional mixed method study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The study was conducted in the catchment area of Ilembula hospital in Wanging’ombe district. Quantitative data was collected through structured questions with a sample of 398 men. Qualitative data was collected through indepth interview with 10 purposively recruited participants including 5 peasant farmers, 2 men employed by the private sector, and 3 self employed men. STATA was used to analyse Quantitative data and Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The findings revealed that, more than half of the respondents were aware of posters (68%) on HIV testing services, community male volunteer (52%), and availability of male friendly package (70%). Also majority of men (69%) have tested for HIV at Ilembula hospital within three years of project implementation. Reasons for not testing for HIV among men were belief that they are HIV negative (43%). Other reasons included fear of getting the testing results and their status being disclosed. Conclusion: Generally, respondents were aware of program components and many of them have tested for HIV. Reasons for not testing for HIV among men were more of individual rather than structural reasons. Therefore efforts to increase uptake for HIV testing should address both the individual and structural reasons that inhibits men from accessing HIV testing services.