Title:
Factors Influencing Utilization of Key HIV Services By Men in Ghana
Authors:
Brown, George Darko
Year:
2013
PAGE:
ix, 54
Language:
En
Subject:
Governance & HIV and AIDS
Keywords:
HIV Services, Gender, LMIC, Access, Utilization
Abstract:
Background: Ghana started providing HIV services in the public health sector in 2003; a comprehensive package that included ART, HTC, PMTCT and management for HIV/TB, STIs and opportunistic infections. Few private facilities had initiated ART services much earlier but accessible to the rich. Scale-up of services over the period has been accompanied by uptake but with gender disparities for using key HIV services. A significantly higher proportion of females than males needing these services access them. Objective: To explore and analyse factors influencing male utilization of key HIV services in Ghana in order to reduce gender disparities, strengthen HIV responses and improve equity in health and quality of life. Methodology: Literature review with analysis using Health Services Utilization and Gender frameworks. Findings: Factors affecting use of key HIV services by men include: Policy-formulated in favour of women, Marital status- being married induced low perception of need for services in men, HRH-dominated by women, Quality of Services- stock outs of materials, unfriendly staff attitudes, lack of confidentiality, and ‘wrong’ timing of services. Stigma and discrimination among others affects both men and women but quite context-specific, differing from place to place and culture to culture. Conclusions/Recommendations: Reviewing the Health Sector Gender Policy, addressing gender gaps in human resources for health, and targeting HIV services to men through primary healthcare (e.g. CHPS system) with intensified advocacy, educational and awareness programmes for communities, promise improvement in the uptake of key HIV services by men who are lagging behind in this aspect.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Department:
Development, Policy and Practice
Country:
Ghana
Region:
Western Africa
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (MPH/ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2013 Brown
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation