More support urged for men to tackle AIDS

Most men lack information and services to protect themselves and their sexual partners against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, especially in developing countries, a new report by the Alan Guttmacher Institute has found. The report, "In Their Own Right: Addressing the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Men Worldwide," was based on data from men aged 15 to 54 in 45 countries. "We know that sex involves both men and women, but policymakers, health care providers, and even men themselves, are often not aware that men have sexual and reproductive health needs that can actively contribute to improving their partner's and their own health," Akinrinola Bankole, a lead researcher on the report, said in a statement. While 20 to 46 percent of men in sub-Saharan Africa did not want additional children, the report found that neither the men nor their partners were using contraceptives. "The evidence clearly shows that men do need better information, counselling and clinical care, and that our failure to provide these services is jeopardising efforts to fight sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and reduce unwanted pregnancies," Bankole added. To download a free executive summary or full-text copy of the report http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/itor.html