African men finally break the silence

By Durani Rapozo
Services Adviser,
George House Trust

I know just how hard it is for African men to talk openly about issues such as living with HIV – I am myself an African man.  however, our way of thinking is changing all the time and, increasingly, African men are realising that there are benefits in talking about issues that affect their sexual health.

In the UK cities with big African communities, such as London, Birmingham and Manchester, men are forming self-help groups which provide a useful platform for sharing information and experience. The atmosphere helps members to gain the motivation and self-confidence to discuss issues concerning their sexual health.

Why it’s good to talk:

That African men are now more willing to talk about HIV is due to several factors. These include:
A gradual reduction in the fear and stigma linked to HIV;

• Greater awareness of the benefits of modern HIV treatment;
• Better understanding and knowledge of HIV, including how it is transmitted;
• Lessons learnt from African women, who have been more involved in HIV work;
• Encouragement from a growing number of male role models;
• Results of the work of African and other voluntary organisations.

In Manchester, we at George House Trust have recently launched a support group for African men who are living with HIV, and contrary to earlier fears, participation has been great: at the most recent support meeting which took place on 8th September, 12 men turned up.

The men evaluated the outcomes of the ‘Getting to know each other’ event that was held earlier in the year at the African Space.

They also talked about issues that affect them in their day-to-day life, such as:

• HIV and Sex
• Sexual dysfunction
• HIV and Sexual Health
• Sperm washing
• Dealing with relationship problems.

Members of the self-help group say the ‘Getting to know each other’ series of meetings give them the opportunity and space to raise and discuss issues that affect them, and that they also learn from each other’s experiences. They also say the meetings are helping to break the taboo subject of HIV, which is key to tackling the problem of stigma. Other benefits reported by group members include increased confidence to talk about HIV and sex issues with their HIV doctor, GPs and support organisations.
We have developed an information pack, based on topics raised at the ‘Getting to know each other’ meetings, which should be most helpful to African men. The information packs can be obtained by calling the telephone number given below.

For more information about our African Men’s Group, please call me on 0161 2744499 or email durani@ght.org.uk or Daniel at daniel@ght.org.uk.

The following agencies provide useful sexual health services for Africans living in the Midwest of England:

Black Health Agency
0161 2325386

CAFPH
0158 2726061

Terrence Higgins Trust
Sandwell 0121 5800645
Birmingham 0121 6946440
Wolverhampton 0190 2711818
Shropshire 0195 2221414

Other useful services for African men:

Organisation of Positive African Men (OPAM) 020 7923 4744
HIV Health Support contact NAM on 020 7840 0050
Fountain of Life Support Group contact CAN 0750 145 9543
Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham HIV Service Users Forum 020 8749 9814

Posted On: 18 December 2009 at 11:36AM
Tags: HIV, Men

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