ABERA’S JOURNEY
EMPOWERING MEN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS.
Author: Fana Abay, Marketing and Communications Director, PSI Ethiopia; Yonatan Tamiru, Communication and PR Specialist, PSI Ethiopia
In the relentless fight against HIV/AIDS, a crucial population group often remains overlooked: Men. Despite their pivotal role in our communities, their health concerns are frequently disregarded, leaving them vulnerable to risks that extend far beyond their individual well-being. This oversight not only endangers their health but also undermines the stability of broader community structures.
Recent reports from the United Nations HIV/AIDS Program, released at the close of 2022, underscore a stark reality: out of over 39 million individuals living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, 47% are men. This disparity is further highlighted by data from the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, indicating that as of 2023, 38.8% of all HIV/AIDS cases in Ethiopia are male. These statistics emphasize the pressing need for initiatives like USAID’s MULU KP project, which addresses the urgent issue of HIV/AIDS among men.
A young man named Abera from Ethiopia represents the face of the challenges men confront in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Growing up in a culture were talking about HIV/AIDS was taboo and seeking medical help was considered a sign of weakness, Abera recalls: “Although I knew where HIV counseling and testing services were available in my community, I always assumed they were primarily for women.”
The USAID MULU KP project aims to expand comprehensive community-based HIV services to key and priority populations, including high-risk men like Abera, who are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic. For Abera, this initiative became a lifeline. He gained the knowledge and courage to face his health challenges through counseling and confidential testing at the USAID MULU KP Drop-In Center in Abinet.
After receiving a positive HIV diagnosis at the DIC, Abera immediately began antiretroviral therapy at a nearby health center. Although he took the medication diligently, his viral load worsened, and his overall health deteriorated. Determined to break this cycle, Abera turned to the staff at the DIC for guidance, where he found a compassionate team of counselors who not only understood his illness but also empathized deeply with his problems. Through one-on-one counseling sessions, Abera learned the importance of taking his medication, proper nutrition, managing stress, and getting regular medical check-ups.
Abera’s journey exemplifies the transformative impact of targeted interventions. Initiatives like USAID MULU KP save lives and change societal norms around men’s utilization of health care. Let’s break the silence around men’s health, rewrite stories, and defeat the relentless HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Abera* — Names have been changed for privacy.
