FRIENDS IN GLOBAL HEALTH SUCCESS STORY
Male Champions Bring Couples Closer Together and Improve Retention in HIV Care
In June 2017, the Male Engagement Strategy was introduced at the Zalala Health Post, in the village of Zalala, Quelimane District, Zambézia Province, Mozambique. The first aim of the initiative was to involve male partners of pregnant women enrolled in prenatal care and increase the uptake of couples HIV counseling and testing during the pregnancy. The second aim was to increase the uptake of ART and improve retention in care among HIV+ pregnant women. A key element of this successful program was the engagement of Male Champions—men within the community who are trained to teach male partners how to be supportive. Men are encouraged to accompany their partners to medical visits and to be tested for HIV themselves.
In 2014, Laurinda Emiliano (pictured above with her husband) became ill and visited the Health Post where she tested positive for HIV. After beginning and later abandoning treatment, she was counseled by a community Male Champion with the specific purpose of bringing her back to care. Her husband, Lobito, later learned he was also HIV positive, and with the help of the Male Champion, they both began HIV treatment (ART) and were able to support each other in the process.
Click here to view photos of Zalaha Health Post and read more about the role of Male Champions.
