Apart from this month being an important month where we celebrate a man with an altruistic spirit, Nelson Mandela, the 1st of July marked the first day of men’s health month with a purpose of increasing awareness about potential health risks on men and boys.
Cultural expectations to “be strong” drive their perceptions and approaches on health issues, which in some cases compromises their health.
Studies conducted suggested that men develop attitudes that do not help foster their health.
They give priority to work and have a self image that encourages denial of illness.
They do not like to discuss their health and fear the consequences of illness more than women do.
In this day and age, safe rather than sorry has never been more relevant and men need to be aware of the difference tests and check lists they need to keep an eye on.
July is a month dedicated to educating men around the country about the health risks they may face, how to prevent them, what symptoms to look out for, and where to get medical assistance.
While this month normally, and very importantly, focuses on prostate and testicular cancer, other medical conditions also need to be highlighted such as HIV.
“At YZEKONA we acknowledge the challenges that are poised to us in ensuring that men and boys take a stand against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“We use progressive nature of various interventions in ensuring that men and boys are also regarded as a critical part of the solutions of the social challenges that they face, such as new infections of HIV, poverty and increasing readily available drugs and alcohol both at workplace and in their communities,” Nyanda Khanyile from Yzekona said.
Yzekona provides safe dialoguing spaces in communities among men and boys supported by a trained therapist.
In these spaces men and boys who are victims and perpetrators of GBV speak among one another on issues that are affecting their grooming, health, violence, manhood and gender.
“As we mark the beginning of men’s health month we urge all men and boys to seek help in dealing with anxiety disorders, Gender Based Violence and management of HIV and prevention of new HIV Infections,” said Khanyile.
Regarding lifestyle aspects, they also urge men to limit alcohol consumption to help control blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, to limit caffeine intake, including coffee, tea and soft drinks and stop smoking.
Men who quit smoking between the ages of 35 to 39 could add an average of five years to their lives.
Men also need to eat a balanced diet, avoid carrying extra weight, stay physically active and manage stress effectively.
