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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sadrivaan A and B (The Hilton Istanbul Hotel )
The macho culture prevailing in North-East Brazil underpins many risk-taking behaviours for HIV infection among young men, including: lack of self-care for health; poor communication regarding sexuality and masculinity; and violence. Since 1981, Brazil ’s Ministry of Health has registered 5034 cases of HIV among adolescent boys aged 13-19 years, and 238,833 cases among men aged 20-24 years. The metropolitan area of Recife has the second highest rate of mortality due to external causes among male youth in the country.
This one-year project supported a process of reflection amongst male youth aged 14-18 years from low-income peri-urban communities regarding the social construction of masculinity, using a dialectic approach to discuss the implications of macho behaviours for them, their partners and peers. The project aimed to generate attitudinal and behaviour changes over the medium to long-term, including: the adoption of non-violent approaches for conflict resolution; appropriate demand for health-services; the exercise of a healthy, safe sexuality and respect for diversity. Participants went on to act as informal educators for their peers, supporting campaigns to promote paternity and the elimination of violence against women.
Discussing masculinity, sexuality and sexual orientation with and among male youth is difficult and requires that opportunities for sustained reflection are created. Despite the difficulties encountered, we observed increased self-esteem, positive attitude changes, re-initiation of studies, abandonment of drug-use and high levels of motivation to promote broader social change among participants. Male youth can act as models and peer educators to reconstruct perceptions of masculinity. Ensuring the participation of schools, communities, and health services in support of their actions is fundamental.
This one-year project supported a process of reflection amongst male youth aged 14-18 years from low-income peri-urban communities regarding the social construction of masculinity, using a dialectic approach to discuss the implications of macho behaviours for them, their partners and peers. The project aimed to generate attitudinal and behaviour changes over the medium to long-term, including: the adoption of non-violent approaches for conflict resolution; appropriate demand for health-services; the exercise of a healthy, safe sexuality and respect for diversity. Participants went on to act as informal educators for their peers, supporting campaigns to promote paternity and the elimination of violence against women.
Discussing masculinity, sexuality and sexual orientation with and among male youth is difficult and requires that opportunities for sustained reflection are created. Despite the difficulties encountered, we observed increased self-esteem, positive attitude changes, re-initiation of studies, abandonment of drug-use and high levels of motivation to promote broader social change among participants. Male youth can act as models and peer educators to reconstruct perceptions of masculinity. Ensuring the participation of schools, communities, and health services in support of their actions is fundamental.
Youth peer educators for new models of masculinity require sustained support and accompaniment for their actions. Ensuring their full participation in decision-making in the program is key to maintaining their sustained involvement as actors for social change.
Learning Objectives: 1-Indicates changes in risk behaviors of adolescents men with regard to their health and community health. 2 - Articula the mental health of adolescent males with the healthy development community. 3-Conduct change of attitude of teenagers and men in the medium to long term reduction of risk behaviour.
Sub-Theme: Progress on prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis