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The theory of masculinity in studies on HIV. A systematic review

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Global Public Health
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This study aimed to describe the methodological characteristics of publications on HIV and masculinity, to identify possible information gaps and determine the main thematic areas. A systematic review was conducted of gender, masculinity, HIV infection and other sexually-transmitted infections in original articles published between 1992 and 2015. Original studies published from Pubmed and Scopus were included. A total of 303 articles were identified, of which 187 were selected. Most of the studies were qualitative and the most widely used technique was the interview. Twenty-nine-point five percent of studies were performed in South Africa, 20.8% in the USA, and 3.2% in Europe. Fifteen percent of the studies were performed in heterosexuals, 12.8% in men who have sex with men, and 60% did not specify the sexual orientation of the population. Eight thematic areas were defined, the most frequent being sexuality and risk behaviours, defined by men’s need to demonstrate they were sexually active and a breadwinner. Most studies on HIV and masculinity show a gender bias by not specifying the sexual identity of the population. Studies should consider diversity in sexual and cultural identity in different contexts, including in Europe, to carry out more effective HIV interventions from a masculinity perspective.
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The theory of masculinity in studies on HIV. A
systematic review
Constanza Jacques-Aviñó, Patricia García de Olalla, Alicia González Antelo,
Manuel Fernández Quevedo, Oriol Romaní & Joan A. Caylà
To cite this article: Constanza Jacques-Aviñó, Patricia García de Olalla, Alicia González Antelo,
Manuel Fernández Quevedo, Oriol Romaní & Joan A. Caylà (2018): The theory of masculinity in
studies on HIV. A systematic review, Global Public Health
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2018.1493133
Published online: 04 Jul 2018.
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The theory of masculinity in studies on HIV. A systematic review
Constanza Jacques-Aviñó
a,b
, Patricia García de Olalla
a,c
, Alicia González Antelo
d
,
Manuel Fernández Quevedo
a
, Oriol Romaní
c,e
and Joan A. Caylà
a,c
a
Servicio de Epidemiología, Agència de Salud Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;
b
Universitat Rovira i Virgili
(URV), Tarragona, Spain;
c
Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBER, Spain;
d
Servicio Medicina Preventiva y
Epidemiología, Hospital Vall dHebrón, Barcelona, Spain;
e
Medical Anthropology Research Center (MARC- URV),
Tarragona, Spain
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to describe the methodological characteristics of
publications on HIV and masculinity, to identify possible information
gaps and determine the main thematic areas. A systematic review was
conducted of gender, masculinity, HIV infection and other sexually-
transmitted infections in original articles published between 1992 and
2015. Original studies published from Pubmed and Scopus were
included. A total of 303 articles were identied, of which 187 were
selected. Most of the studies were qualitative and the most widely used
technique was the interview. Twenty-nine-point ve percent of studies
were performed in South Africa, 20.8% in the USA, and 3.2% in Europe.
Fifteen percent of the studies were performed in heterosexuals, 12.8% in
men who have sex with men, and 60% did not specify the sexual
orientation of the population. Eight thematic areas were dened, the
most frequent being sexuality and risk behaviours, dened by mens
need to demonstrate they were sexually active and a breadwinner. Most
studies on HIV and masculinity show a gender bias by not specifying the
sexual identity of the population. Studies should consider diversity in
sexual and cultural identity in dierent contexts, including in Europe, to
carry out more eective HIV interventions from a masculinity perspective.
ARTICLE HISTORY
Received 16 February 2018
Accepted 23 May 2018
KEYWORDS
Masculinity; HIV; gender;
sexual identity; systematic
review
Introduction
An estimated 37.9 million people live with HIV worldwide, of whom 17.2 million are men; trans-
mission in women is believed to occur mainly through heterosexual practices (UNAIDS, 2015).
In South Africa, men were found to be 25% more likely to die from AIDS than women, although
women had a greater probability of becoming infected (Dovel, Yeatman, Watkins, & Poulin,
2015). Among men who have sex with men (MSM), the HIV epidemic continues to spread in
most countries, especially in urban areas, where the prevalence of infection can be up to three
times higher than in the general population (World Health Organization, 2016). As a social deter-
minant of health, the gender perspective allows a deeper analysis of how the concept of masculinity
contributes to the spread of HIV (ECDC, 2013).
Although there is abundant literature on the factors associated with HIV transmission, few
studies have incorporated the masculinity (Gash & Tomás, 2015). Masculinity is a social construct
that depends on both social interactions and social expectations that judge men and their behaviours
in each culture (Fleming, DiClemente, & Barringtons, 2016). That is, masculinity not only refers to
what men do but also to what they are expected to do, it is a set of beliefs and practices. This suggests
© 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
CONTACT Constanza Jacques-Aviñó cjacques18@yahoo.es; cjacques@aspb.cat
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2018.1493133
that a person becomes a man or a woman because he or she acts in a certain way, which is deter-
mined by a cultural pattern. On the one hand, there is conformity with traditional masculinity,
which represents an increase in health risks, a position that corresponds to hegemonic masculinity
(Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005). This masculinity is related to a reluctance to lose the status of
supremacy and to advocate greater gender equality (Welzer-Lang, 2010). From this position men
faced the ideal stereotype where physical resilience is valorised, avoiding to seek healthcare and
engage in preventing activities, since they do not want to show weakness (Jewkes et al., 2015). On
the other hand, there is subordinate masculinity, which refers to groups classied as marginal,
whether because of their ethnicity or sexual orientation and which is created as a result of compari-
son of culturally dominant ideals of masculinity, possibly leading to worse health compared with
other groups of men (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005; Evans, Frank, Olie, & Gregory, 2011). In
other words, not all men enjoy the same status and hierarchy; in fact, in sexual relationships between
men, there is probably a lack of horizontality to negotiate preventive measures in collectives that
could be more vulnerable, such as immigrants or young men (Connell, 2012).
Therefore, in addition to gender, ethnic-racial origin and social class need to be considered to
understand the spread of HIV (Dworkin, 2005). This implies a consideration of gender as a social
dimension that involves power relations, the intersection of other axes of inequality and questioning
of a dual model of the sex-gender system. Masculinity is not a static category and resists a universal
reading of behaviours related to HIV transmission, such as condom use and having multiple partners
(Fleming et al., 2016). It also suggests the need to consider sexual orientation and assign visibility to
identity, since both are key factors in carrying out eective interventions in HIV prevention (Harper,
2007). In fact, gender framework that only target men as holders of power and privilege miss the
many men who do not to identify as such and who may be committed to challenging hegemonic
gender roles that negatively impact men and women (Peacock, Stemple, Sawires, & Coates, 2009).
We believe it timely to identify the state of artof a topic that has been little studied by public
health researchers. We argue that showing every topic on masculinity and HIV provides relevant
information for the critical analysis of existing knowledge. The aim of this study was to describe
the methodological characteristics and the thematic areas of studies on HIV and masculinity and
to identify missing but important factors for intervention strategies.
Methods
Search strategy: a systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA statement to identify,
evaluate and summarise the current state of a specic topic using systematic and transparent pro-
cesses (Moher, Liberati, Tetzla, & Altman, 2009). We searched for articles exploring HIV within
a masculinity framework published between 1992, when the rst article was published, and Decem-
ber 2015. We included qualitative studies and original quantitative studies published in Spanish,
English and Portuguese.
The search was conducted in Pubmed, as the leading database for biomedical research, and Sco-
pus, from which we selected only manuscripts classied as Social Sciences. Medical subject headings
were used with the following key terms: (gender) AND (masculinity) AND (HIV OR AIDS OR Viral
Sexually Transmitted DiseaseOR Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Disease).
The following information was gathered from selected articles: type of study, design and data col-
lection techniques. The following information was gathered on the characteristics of the sample: age
range, according to the WHO classication, sex/gender and sexual orientation as specied in the
article. Although race is a controversial term, we decided to use the same terms as those used in
the articles to avoid altering the results; we also gathered data on whether participants belonged
to a specic ethnic group or whether they were immigrants. Information was also gathered on
any indicators of social position, such as income, occupation, educational attainment and/or a
description of the neighbourhood of the sample. Finally, we included the area (rural and/or
urban) where the study was performed and the country.
2C. JACQUES-AVIÑÓ ET AL.
Selection of reviewed studies: rst, we excluded duplicate studies. Second, we excluded articles
that were unavailable or written in other languages. Third, the articles were read in their entirety
to select those including the theory of masculinity, note the methodology, and identify the thematic
area. The review was conducted by two researchers who collected the data from each manuscript in a
database. The ndings were discussed to reach a consensus on the results and validate them.
Selection of themes: after reading the rst 50 articles, we created 8 thematic areas, which were
adjusted during the research and triangulated with public health researchers and medical anthropol-
ogists. A narrative summary was made of quantitative and qualitative studies.
Results
A total of 303 articles were identied, of which 115 were excluded because they did not meet the
inclusion criteria. The nal sample consisted of 187 articles (Figure 1). No articles were found on
masculinity and a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) other than HIV.
Most studies were conducted in urban areas (37%), followed by rural settings (20%) and, to a les-
ser extent, in both contexts (11%). The country producing the most studies was South Africa
(29.5%), followed by the United States (20.8%). The continent with the largest percentage of studies
was Africa (53%), followed by America (North America: 25.6%; Latin America and the Caribbean:
11.2%), Asia (4.3%), Western Europe (3.2%) and Oceania (2.7%) (Table 1).
Most studies were qualitative (75.4%), mainly using interviews (54.2%), followed by studies com-
bining interviews with focus groups (19.1%). Ethnographic studies were less common (16.3%).
Among quantitative studies, the most common design was cross-sectional (90.6%). Mixed studies
included cybercartography and Internet-based data collection (Table 2).
Records identified through database
searching Pubmed
(n = 189)
Screening
Included Eligibility Identification
Records identified through database
searching Scopus
(n = 114)
Studies included in
qualitative synthesis
(n =187)
Records duplicates
(n = 53)
Records screened
(n = 250) Records excluded
(n = 11)
Full-text articles excluded
by not addressing the goal
(n = 52)
Full-text articles assessed for
eligibility
(n = 239)
Figure 1. Flow chart of studies included in analysis on masculinity and HIV.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 3
Table 1. Distribution by country of studies on HIV and masculinity
reviewed.
Country N° de articles %
South Africa 54 29.0
USA 38 20.3
Brazil 10 5.4
Zimbabwe 9 4.9
Uganda 8 4.3
Tanzania 6 3.2
México 5 2.7
Australia 5 2.7
Canada 4 2.1
Namibia 4 2.1
Swaziland 3 1.6
Kenia 3 1.6
Mozambique 3 1.6
UK 3 1.6
Dominican Republic 3 1.6
China 2 1.1
Spain 2 1.1
Malawi 2 1.1
Peru 2 1.1
Zambia 2 1.1
India 2 1.1
Thailand 2 1.1
Caribbean 2 1.1
Bangladesh 1 0.5
Democratic Republic of Congo 1 0.5
Nigeria 1 0.5
Burkina Faso 1 0.5
Cameron 1 0.5
USA /Canada 1 0.5
Guatemala 1 0.5
Jamaica 1 0.5
Paraguay 1 0.5
Puerto Rico 1 0.5
Sweden 1 0.5
Vietnam 1 0.5
Zimbabwe / South Africa 1 0.5
Total 187 100
Table 2. Characteristics of studies on HIV and masculinity according to type of research study and design.
Type of study
N(%)
Study design
N(%)
187(100%) 187(100%)
Qualitative study 141(75.4) Ethnography 1 (0.7)
Interview 76(53.9)
Focus group 14(10)
Focus group / Interview 27(19.1)
Ethnography / Interview 13(9.2)
Ethnography / Focus group 1(0.7)
Ethnography / Focus group / Interview 9(6.4)
Total 141(100)
Quantitative study 32 (17.1) Cross-sectional 29(90.6)
Longitudinal 3(9.4)
Total 32(100)
Mixed methods 14 (7.5) Cross-sectional / Interview 7(50)
Cross-sectional / Focus group 1(7.1)
Cross-sectional / Focus group / Interview 4(28.6)
Cybercartography 2(14.3)
Total 14(100)
4C. JACQUES-AVIÑÓ ET AL.
The study population consisted of men only in 66.9% of the studies, while both men and women
were included in 27.8%. Few studies included transgender persons (Table 3). Most studies (50.8%)
included age groups ranging from adolescents to adults, while no studies were found in persons older
than 60 years. There was a predominance of studies performed in heterosexuals only (15%), followed
by heterosexuals and MSM (10.7%), and MSM and homosexuals (12.8%). No information was pro-
vided on sexual orientation in 60% of the studies. Concerning ethnic-racial origin, notable were
studies performed in specic ethnic groups (21.4%), mainly from African countries, and those con-
ducted in black or mulatto populations (15.6%), mainly from the US (Table 3). Most studies (77.5%)
reported at least one indicator related to the social position of the population.
Thematic areas
The most important ndings in each thematic area of the studies on HIV and masculinity are
described below (Table 4).
Sexuality and risk behaviours
A total of 41.6% of the studies on this thematic area were from African countries, 20.2% were from
Latin America and 20.2% from the US. Almost half (46.4%) of the studies did not specify sexual
orientation, while 27.4% were performed in heterosexuals only and in heterosexuals who also ident-
ied as other sexual orientations, 19% in homosexuals and MSM and other sexual orientations. In
these studies, the ideology of masculinity was related to having multiple partners and being hetero-
sexual. Sexual desire was experienced as uncontrollable, thus justifying risk behaviour. There was a
perceived invulnerability to STI/HIV transmission, correlated with condom use among only a min-
ority and its discontinuation after the early stage of a relationship. The dominant masculine norms
were related to unprotected sex, rejection of HIV tests, and not seeking help on sexual health; real
men were dened as being socially visible and the head of the family. Women were being responsible
for condom use and homosexuals for HIV transmission. Among adolescents of any sexual orien-
tation, risk behaviours were frequent, motivated by peer pressure and by early initiation of sexual
relations to conform to a hegemonic view of masculinity.
In studies in MSM or homosexuals, participants showed a preference for penetrative anal sex
when they wanted to hide their homosexuality; this form of sex was considered low-risk for HIV
acquisition. Men adopting the passive position, who were normally younger and with a more fem-
ininephenotype, had a lesser perception of control during the relationship, including their partici-
pation in the decision to use a condom. Internet sites used by men to meet bareback sex partners
were characterised by a hegemonic prole of masculinity emphasising physical appearance, and
sex with multiple partners.
Among non-gay-identied African-American MSM in the US, the risk of HIV infection was
related to cultural norms supporting secrecy and privacy in personal matters and to the unpreme-
ditated nature of sexual contacts with other men.
Social and interpersonal relations
More than half (55.5%) of the studies were performed in African countries. Most (66.6%) did not
enquire about the sexual orientation of the sample. Among studies providing this information,
22.2% were conducted in homosexuals and MSM. This section describes how men construct their
social identity, highlighting the social group, body image and physical strength. Hegemonic mascu-
linity was characterised by economic power and having multiple sexual partners, leading to shared
sexual but not emotional experiences among friends with little discussion about protection measures.
Among heterosexuals, reasons for having concurrent sexual relations were an inability to control
sexual desire and a lack of trust in women, who were perceived as being too empowered. Also, it
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 5
Table 3. Characteristics of populations included in HIV and masculinity studies.
Age group Sex Sexual Identity Indicator social class Race/ Ethnic /migrant
N(%) N(%) N(%) N(%) N(%)
Adolescent 1319 years 16 (8.6) Men 125(66.9) Heterosexual 28(15) Available 145(77.5) Black & coloured 29(15.6)
Young 2024 years 4(2.1) Women 6(3.2) MSM 18(9.6) Latino 6(3.2)
Adult 2559 years 25(13.4) Trans
b
0(0) Homosexual 6(3.2) Black & white 6(3.2)
Aging >60 years 0(0) Men & women 52(27.8) Bisexual 3(1.6) Black, white & other 25(13.4)
Adolescent & young (1324 years) 23(12.3) Men & trans 3(1.6) MSM
a
& heterosexual 20(10.8) Black, coloured & other 1(0.5)
Adolescent & young & adult (1359 years) 95(50.8) Men, women & trans 1(0.5) Black & latino 2(1)
Children (<13 years) 1(0.5) Ethnic group 40(21.4)
Migrant 6(3.2)
Not specied 23 (12.3) Not specied 0(0) Not specied 112(60) Not specied 42(22.5) Not specied 72(38.5)
Total 187(100) Total 187(100) Total 187(100) Total 187(100) Total 187(100)
a
MSM: men who have sex with men.
b
Trans: Transsexual or transgender.
6C. JACQUES-AVIÑÓ ET AL.
Table 4. Thematic areas of the studies on HIV and masculinity.
Themes
N° of articles N
(%) Bibliographic references
Sexuality and Risk Behaviors 84(44.9) Aubé-Maurice et al. (2012); Baidoobonso, Bauer, Speechley, and Lawson (2013);
Bhagwanjee et al. (2013); Bhana and Anderson (2013); Bowleg et al. (2011);
J. Brown, Sorrell, and Raaelli (2005); R. A. Brown, Kennedy, Tucker, Golinelli,
and Wenzel (2013); C. A. Campbell (1995); C. Campbell (1997); Carballo-Dieguez
et al. (2006); Chapple (1998); Clark et al. (2013); Dahlback, Makelele, Yamba,
Bergstrom, and Ransjo-Arvidson (2006); Devries and Free (2010); Do Valle
(2008); Dowsett, Williams, Ventuneac, and Carballo-Dieguez (2008); Doyal,
Anderson, and Paparini (2009); Fernández-Dávila et al. (2008); Fields et al.
(2012); Fontdevila (2006); Fordham (1995); Gonçalves and Da Silva (2002);
Graham (2015); Groes-Green (2009); Grov, Parsons, and Bimbi (2010); Guerreiro,
Ricardo, Ayres, and Hearst (2002); Halkitis et al. (2008); Harrison, OSullivan,
Homan, Dolezal, and Morrell (2006); Hegamin-Younger, Jeremiah, and Bilbro
(2014); Husbands et al. (2013); Jacques Aviñó, García de Olalla, Díez, and Martín
(2015); Johns, Pingel, Eisenberg, Santana, and Bauermeister (2012); Joshi (2010);
Junior, Gomes, and Do Nascimiento (2012); Kendall, Herrera, Caballero, and
Campero (2012); Kennedy et al. (2013); M. E. Khan, Mishra, and Morankar (2008);
S. I. Khan, Hudson-Rodd, Saggers, and Bhuiya (2005); Kogan, Cho, Barnum, and
Brown (2015); Langeni (2007); Larkin, Andrews, and Mitchell (2006); Leidens,
Estermann, Sacchi, and Montano (2004); Levinson, Sadigursky, and Erchak
(2004); Lorway (2006); Lusey, Sebastian, Christianson, Dahlgren, and Edin
(2014); Lynch, Brouard, and Visser (2010); Macia, Maharaj, and Gresh (2011);
Malebranche, Gvetadze, Millett, and Sutton (2012); Mankayi and Naidoo (2011);
Mankayi (2008,2009); Mfecane (2012); Mindry, Knight, and van Rooyen (2015);
Mufune (2009); Mugweni, Pearson, and Omar (2015); Muparamoto (2012);
Murphy and Boggess (1998); Nzioka (2001); Operario, Smith, and Kegeles
(2008); Persson and Richards (2008); Pettifor, Macphail, Anderson, and Maman
(2012); Plummer (2013); Raiford, Seth, Braxton, and Diclemente (2013);
Robertson et al. (2013); Senn, Scott-Sheldon, Seward, Wright, and Carey (2011);
Shai, Jewkes, Nduna, and Dunkle (2012); Shefer and Ngabaza (2015); Shefer
et al. (2008); Singh et al. (2010); D. J. Smith (2007); Sommer, Likindikoki, and
Kaaya (2015); Stern and Buikema (2013); Stern, Clarfelt, and Buikema (2015);
Stern, Rau, and Cooper (2014); Taquette, Rodrigues de Oliveira, Bortolotti, and
Rodrigues (2015); Uribe-Salas, Conde-González, Magis-Rodríguez, and Juarez-
Figueroa (2005); Van Tuan (2010); Walcott et al. (2014); Wamoyi et al. (2015);
Wheldon (2010); Wyrod (2011).
Social Relationships 27(14.4) Artazcoz, Moya, Vanaclocha, and Pont (2004); Bandali (2011); Shari L Dworkin and
OSullivan (2005); P. J. Fleming, Andes, and Diclemente (2013); P. J. Fleming,
Barrington, Perez, Donastorg, and Kerrigan (2014); García, Lechuga, and Zea
(2012); McInnes, Bradley, and Prestage (2009); Morrell and Jewkes (2011);
Muñoz-Laboy et al. (2012); Muñoz-Laboy, Severson, and Bannan (2014);
Pulerwitz and Barker (2007); Ragnarsson, Townsend, Ekstrom, Chopra, and
Thorson (2010); Ragnarsson, Townsend, Thorson, Chopra, and Ekstrom (2009);
Reihling (2013); Rich, Nkosi, and Morojele (2015); Shefer, Clowes, and Vergnani
(2012); A Simpson (2005); Anthony Simpson (2007); G. Smith, Kippax, and
Chapple (1998); Tersbøl (2006); Thien and Del Casino (2012); Townsend,
Ragnarsson, et al. (2011); Van Klinken (2012); Walker (2005); Wamoyi, Fenwick,
Urassa, Zaba, and Stones (2011).
Access to Diagnosis and
Treatment
25(13.4) Barnabas Njozing, Edin, and Hurtig (2010); Bila and Egrot (2009); Chikovore et al.
(2014); Chikovore, Hart, Kumwenda, Chipungu, and Corbett (2015); Duck (2009);
Galvan, Bogart, Wagner, Klein, and Chen (2014); Gari, Martin-Hilber, Malungo,
Musheke, and Merten (2014); Lyttleton (2004); Mavhu et al. (2010); Mburu, et al.
(2014); Mfecane (2011,2012); Nattrass (2008); Nyamhanga, Muhondwa, and
Shayo (2013); Parent, Torrey, and Michaels (2012); Pearson and Makadzange
(2008); Saleh, Operario, Smith, Arnold, and Kegeles (2011); Sikweyiya, Jewkes,
and Dunkle (2014); Siu, Seeley, and Wight (2013); Siu, Wight, and Seeley (2012,
2014); Siu and Seeley (2014); Skovdal, Campbell, Nyamukapa, and Gregson
(2011); Skovdal, Campbell, Madanhire, et al. (2011); Wyrod (2013).
Prevention and Intervention
Evaluation
15(8.0) Dageid, Govender, and Gordon (2012); Daniels, Crum, Ramaswamy, and
Freudenberg (2011); Shari L Dworkin, Hatcher, Colvin, and Peacock (2013);
P. J. Fleming, Barringtons, Perez, Donastorg, and Kerrigan (2015); Foley, Powell-
Williams, and Davies (2015); Gibbs (2015); Hatcher, Colvin, Ndlovu, and Dworkin
(2014); Jobson (2010); Kageha Igonya and Moyer (2013); Mufune (2009);
(Continued)
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 7
was a way of coping with the diculty of complying with a hegemonic masculine role due to
unfavourable socioeconomic conditions, unemployment and low self-esteem. Men who reported
having an alternative masculinity, were those who most strongly supported gender equity.
In contrast, homosexuals who disclosed their sexual orientation were more likely to reveal their
HIV-serostatus, which was associated with better health outcomes. Latino men residing in the US
reported that factors favouring communication were acculturation to the host environment and
social support.
Access to diagnosis and treatment
This topic was mainly studied in articles from African countries (84%), with most (89.5%) not
reporting the sexual orientation of the sample. Hegemonic masculinity implied that a man was
respectable, independent, and a breadwinner, which was related to resistance to self-care. This belief
was a barrier to accessing the health system for HIV tests or undergoing follow-up, since men did not
want to be identied as seropositive in their communities. HIV-seropositive was associated with
homosexuality and social stigma and with disappointing social expectations. This rejection led
men to deny their illness, with HIV-positive men only accessing the health system when they devel-
oped serious complications or were in poor general health; some even used women to obtain anti-
retroviral treatment. In contrast, facilitators to HIV-testing were the desire for good health and for a
longer life, the perception of family support, faith in a supreme being, and trust in health authorities.
Among HIV-positive men, participating in support groups represented an abandonment of hegemo-
nic masculinity and greater treatment adherence.
In the US, heterosexual self-presentation was a barrier to HIV-testing in MSM. A study in Afri-
can-American MSM who did not identify as gay revealed the huge diculty of accessing HIV pre-
vention counselling.
Prevention and intervention assessment
A total of 60% of studies on interventions were conducted in African countries, 20% were performed
in the US and 8% in Latin-American countries. Eighty percent did not specify the sexual orientation
of the sample; among those that did, 13.3% were conducted in MSM and were carried out in
Table 4. Continued.
Themes
N° of articles N
(%) Bibliographic references
S. D. Rhodes et al. (2014); Van Den Berg et al. (2013); Verma et al. (2006);
Viitanen and Colvin (2015)
Violence 14(7.5) Brear and Bessarab (2012); Christodes et al. (2014); Clüver, Elkonin, and Young
(2013); Decker et al. (2009); Dunkle et al. (2004,2007); S. L. Dworkin, Colvin,
Hatcher, and Peacock (2012); Gibbs, Sikweyiya, and Jewkes (2014); Jewkes,
Morrell, Sikweyiya, Dunkle, and Penn-Kekana (2012); Jewkes, Nduna, Shai, and
Dunkle (2012); Mugweni, Pearson, and Omar (2012); Mulrenan, Colombini,
Howard, Kikuvi, and Mayhew (2015); Townsend, Jewkes, et al. (2011); Walsh and
Mitchell (2006)
Social Stigma 13(7.0) Balaji et al. (2012); Fields et al. (2015); Halkitis and Parsons (2003); Harrison (2000);
Herrick et al. (2013); Kisler and Williams (2012); LaPollo, Bond, and Lauby (2013);
Quinn and Dickson-Gomez (2015); Severson, Muñoz-Laboy, and Kaufman
(2014); Tapia (2015); Vasques-guzzi and Varas-diaz (2012); Verduzco (2014)
Paternity 6(3.2) Asander, Rubensson, Munobwa, and Faxelid (2013); Harrington et al. (2015);
Highton and Finn (2015); Jadwin-Cakmak, Pingel, Harper, and Bauermeister
(2015); Mbekenga, Lugina, Christensson, and Olsson (2011); Taylor, Mantell,
Nywagi, Cishe, and Cooper (2013).
Male Circumcision 3(1.6) Adams and Moyer (2015); Humphries, van Rooyen, Knight, Barnabas, and Celum
(2015); Khumalo-Sakutukwa et al. (2013).
Total 187 (100)
8C. JACQUES-AVIÑÓ ET AL.
Guatemala and the US. These studies revealed that male sexuality was based on hegemonic mascu-
linity. Studies in Africa assessed mainly educational programmes such as One Man Can and Stepping
Stones. The participants indicated that the programmes had shifted mens attitudes to gender roles
and power relations toward greater gender equality, had improved communication with their part-
ners and reduced alcohol consumption, increased safe sex practices and reduced violence. Among
the barriers to maintaining these changes were an inability to full the role of breadwinner due to
unemployment and peer pressure. It has been proposed that factors such as ethnic group and social
class should be integrated into interventions.
Studies exploring factors facilitating HIV-prevention programmes suggest the need to take into
account the price men pay when renouncing hegemonic masculinity, that is, the need to propose
alternative masculinities and include sociocultural expectations, as well as mensaective relation-
ships. In HIV-seropositive men, steps to increase treatment access included disclosure of serological
status, as a rst step in accepting the disease, and encouraging participation in support groups to
improve psychological and sexual wellbeing. In schools, the use of teaching and learning materials
that question dominant forms of masculinity has been proposed as a means to combat HIV-related
discrimination and homophobia.
Violence
Most of the studies on violence were from African countries (92.9%). None of them specied the sexual
orientation of the population, except one study conducted in heterosexual men. Research centred on
sexual violence to explain HIV transmission in women. This behaviour reinforced a model of mascu-
linity promoting recurrent sexual partners and physical violence toward women. Men internalised the
idea of having control over women and hierarchical gender roles. In these contexts, adolescent girls felt
coerced by older men wanting to buy sex and pressured by their boyfriends to have sexual relations
before they felt ready and to increase the frequency of relations. In socially disadvantaged urban
areas with a high prevalence of HIV infection, young men saw gang membership and violence as a
way of demonstrating their masculinity and position within the social order. Men with a tendency
to abuse women were more likely to be HIV-infected and to oblige women to have forced sex.
Social stigma
Studies on stigma were performed mainly in the US (61.5%) followed by Latin-America (23.1%), with no
studies were identied from Africa. All the studies were conducted in populations including MSM and
homosexuals. Hidden homoerotic desire led to men having fewer strategies to negotiate safe-sex prac-
tices, thus exposing themselves to STI infection. These practices produced a series of emotions such as
guilt, shame, fear and sadness that may develop into mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Studies focusing on African-American men in the US report that social constructs of gender led
participants to equate homosexuality with femininity, which in turn led them to adopt a hypermas-
culine and hypersexualized image with their female partners in order to meet social expectations.
Hypermasculine men showed greater internalised homonegativity. Fear of rejection or actual rejec-
tion by the social environment led to risk behaviour and a higher probability of HIV exposure. The
studies highlight the importance of adopting a traditional masculine role, with no expression of feel-
ings, despite their sexual identity, to integrate in society. Compared with groups of white men, Afri-
can-American men had a greater fear of coming out of the closetmainly due to a fear of losing the
support of the black community, in which the church plays a strong role.
Paternity
Fifty percent of the studies on paternity were performed in Africa and 33.3% in Europe. Half of the
studies were conducted in the heterosexual population and 16.6% in MSM and homosexuals.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 9
Hegemonic notions of masculinity intersected with the belief that men needed to demonstrate their
sexual prowess and their mental and physical wellbeing; thus, siring a child became a symbol of viri-
lity with roles and responsibilities. Some fathers feared transmitting the HIV virus to their children,
generating tension in the entire family. In general, men played little part in health services related to
reproduction and child raising. HIV-positive immigrant men with children who had diculty in
understanding medical information and who wanted to be involved in child care mistakenly feared
infecting their children. Also mentioned was the desire to be seen to be responsible and resilient and
to be a committed father as a useful strategy to combat the stigma of HIV infection.
Male circumcision
The 3 studies found on male circumcision were performed in distinct cultural contexts of African
countries. None of these studies specied the sexual orientation of the population. Some participants
considered it a threat, since it reduced sensitivity and reduced sexual pleasure and could sometimes
have irreversible adverse eects on sexual function. In contrast, elsewhere, circumcision was redu-
cing HIV transmission and even with increasing sexual pleasure, for both men and women. It has
been suggested that circumcision programmes should be culturally adapted to dierent contexts
and include both men and women in the target population.
Discussion
The studies reviewed highlighted a hegemonic model of masculinity characterised by mens need to
demonstrate their sexual prowess and provide for the family. Notions of sexuality were supported by
deterministic arguments like men will be men. However, cultural norms have inuenced the idea
that men are driven to seek opportunities to satisfy their sexual desires (Fleming et al., 2016). The
ability to earn money assigned value and status, making work a higher priority than health (Cour-
tenay, 2000). From this viewpoint, men take an instrumental view of health in which the body is seen
as an ecient machine with few needs for care and is resistant to disease (Möller-Leimkühler, 2002).
These traditional roles assign men qualities such as bravery, risk and other associated characteristics
that make them susceptible to contracting HIV and other STI (Möller-Leimkühler, 2002). These
behaviours are socially rewarded and may even be admired, since they are ways of achieving
power (Juliano, 2010). In this sense, the presence of women in the review was uncommon and
when it appeared was normally assuming culpability for the transmission of HIV or the place of
the victim. These patterns of violence towards women have been associated with countries where
policies with gender inequality predominate and where abuse towards women is a social norm
(Heise & Kotsadam, 2015).
Most of the studies on masculinity were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and the US (73.6%),
while studies in Western Europe, despite the number of publications on gender and health, were
very scarce (3.2%) and the few identied were performed mainly in the immigrant population. Con-
sequently, persons of Roma ethnicity, for example, were not included in any of the articles reviewed.
Studies from the US focused in ethnic minorities (African American or Latino) and mainly con-
cerned conicts related to same-sex attraction among men. This possible tension in gender role
led to men adopting an image of hypersexualized masculinity to gain acceptance by the community
(Zeglin, 2015). It would seem, therefore, that western Caucasian men are not seen as suitable for
study from the gender perspective. In the US, race and ethnic background have been used as
cause of discrimination, marginalisation, and even subjugation (González et al., 2003). Nonetheless,
that the invisibility of white American and European in studies of masculinity leads one to think that
cultural determinants of gender do not inuence their behaviour, but that is not the case. On the
contrary, we believe that more studies are needed in this population in order to know the practices
and beliefs that are also inuenced by the models of masculinity, since focusing just on ethnic min-
orities or non-Caucasian populations can promote stereotypes and prejudices towards these
10 C. JACQUES-AVIÑÓ ET AL.
communities. In this way, another notable nding was that the studies including an indicator of
social class focused on the most disadvantaged classes, suggesting that masculinity is only worth
studying in these sectors of the population. These results could be analyzed under a postcolonial
approach, when language has been predominantly attached in xed western epistemologies of
class divisions, heterosexism, and racializing reproduction (Darder, 2018).
Most of the studies (60%) contained no information on the sexual orientation of the population,
although the contents of these articles suggested that the sample consisted of heterosexuals. That is,
there is a denial of homoerotic relationships, taking for granted that men only feel attracted to and
have sexual relationships with women. This invisibility of sexual minorities, especially in research
conducted in African countries, shows how a heteronormative model is accepted by researchers
themselves. In this regard, laws and policies on acceptance or non-acceptance of homosexuality
are a structural determinant that varies from country to country, and that inuence vulnerability
to contracting HIV (Gupta, Parkhurst, Ogden, Aggleton, & Mahal, 2008). This gender bias has nega-
tive health repercussions, not only in gay-identifying but also in anyone belonging to an identity cat-
egory other than heterosexual. In fact, the social stigma of same-sex attraction can lead to major
conicts and health repercussions (King et al., 2013). Therefore, the assumption of the health system
that the population is heterosexual is a barrier to prevention measures and places homosexual men at
risk. As well as men that not dene themselves as homosexuals, or are not identied like MSM, but
who have sexual relationships with other men (Díaz, 1999; Souleymanov & Huang, 2016).
The lack of research on masculinity in MSM, gay collective or non-straight sexual identities,
reveals the need to gain deeper insight into their models of masculinity and how these groups
have internalised traditional models in the social fact of being male. On the other hand, the relation-
ship between sexual diversity and the cultural context should be considered. In this sense, it is impor-
tant to understand the context of sexual interactions which are necessarily social and involves the
complex relationship between sexual behaviour, sexual identity and the meaning of sexuality (Parker,
2009).
The predominance of qualitative methodology revealed the aim of articulating data within a
theoretical framework. In fact, factors such as ethnicity, economic status and sexuality were fre-
quently treated simply as variables to be controlled in the statistical analysis and were less frequently
studied from a social and gender perspective (Courtenay, 2000). Consequently, closer linkage
between epidemiology and social sciences is advisable in studies on social determinants in health
(Rhodes & Simic, 2005). From public health research it requires us to move beyond the overly
neat analytic distinctions and include community experience (Parker, Aggleton, & Perez-Brumer,
2016).
One of the limitations of this study is the lack of inclusion of other bibliographic databases that
could have increased the number of studies reviewed. However, the databases chosen are the most
widely used in biomedicine and social sciences. On the other hand, not researching the theoretical
framework used in the manuscripts was a limitation due to the use of a systematic review that puts
the accent on data collection (PRISMA) and not in a theoretical debate. Therefore, we suggest exam-
ining models that use the theory of masculinity in public health research, as well as incorporating
other disciplines that study this topic in order to learn about dierent ways of approaching it.
The main strength of this review is that it achieved information saturation and included many
articles, thus allowing closer assessment of the quality of the scientic literature and identication
of gaps in existing knowledge. Therefore this study diers from other reviews; this is the rst exhaus-
tive review of the literature on masculinity and HIV that provide lack of relevant information in this
issue.
Currently, the challenge for public health lies in incorporating a deeper analysis of distinct mas-
culinities and their underlying power relations. Such an analysis would help to explain the morbidity
and mortality of certain health problems aecting mainly men, such as road trac accidents and
problems with drugs (Borrell & Artazcoz, 2007). Analysis of the concept of hegemonic masculinity
is important to favour prevention by promoting a change in masculine norms, in which reection
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 11
and dialogue are a fundamental strategy for health promotion and HIV prevention (Connell & Mes-
serschmidt, 2005; Jewkes et al., 2015). The gender perspective not only seeks to nd dierences
between genders but also to investigate the processes reproducing these dierences (Buschmeyer,
2013). This requires an understanding of the HIV epidemic from a syndemic model, which takes
into account social interactions, social inequalities and the characteristics of HIV infection (Singer,
Bulled, Ostrach, & Mendenhall, 2017). In this regard, the perspective of Intersectionality is of inter-
est, as it proposes an analysis of power relations that can give rise to inequality, combining gender,
race/ethnicity and social class (Christensen & Jensen, 2014). We believe that both perspectives pro-
vide a good public health framework for analyzing the relationship between disease and social
research that includes social conditions, stigmatisation, or structural violence.
In summary, most studies on HIV and masculinity show a gender bias by not address the sexual
identity of the population. In addition, the most widely investigated topic was sexuality and risk
behaviour, demonstrating that men were legitimised by always being ready for sex. On the other
hand, studies on masculinity and HIV were invisible from Western culture, a classic discussion
between science and power that refers to the hierarchy between the knowledge productions. That
issue requires reexive process into public health to promote an intercultural sensitivity in its
research and intervention. Future studies should be considered, diversity in sexual and cultural iden-
tity and European population, on the other, the mechanisms (eg, education, the media, nuclei of
sociability) through which patterns reinforcing a hegemonic model of masculinity facilitating the
acquisition of HIV and other STI.
Disclosure statement
No potential conict of interest was reported by the authors.
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20 C. JACQUES-AVIÑÓ ET AL.
... Men's social status is often associated with societal gender roles expectations and masculine norms (6, [16][17][18][19][20]. A global systematic review on masculinity and HIV reported the association between masculine norms and risky sexual behavior (21). Similarly, a scoping review in sub-Saharan Africa revealed that masculine norms created factors that inhibit or facilitate men's uptake of HIV testing (22). ...
... This nding corroborates the results of other studies that documented men's perception of HIV status and stigma as a direct attack to masculinity especially men's social status (6,14,20,39,40). Although masculinity is not a personal construct, men often perform masculine norms through their actions and relationships which are imposed by social institutions (e.g., community, school) including social networks (21,(41)(42)(43)(44). While the pathway to accessing HIV testing services requires an active engagement of the user with the available health systems, fear of HIV positive status and stigma were major barriers among our participants. ...
... While the need to educate men about HIV treatment cascade and care is well documented and crucial to halt HIV transmission (8,21,22), there seems to be a disjunction in the delivery of HIV/AIDS messaging especially for men (48).There is a growing number of literatures that indicates that HIV/AIDS awareness messaging is associated with fatigue that may hinder public health efforts (48-51). Thus, the need for context-based men tailored emotive messaging for HIV/AIDS education in South Africa.Finally, some community-based HIV studies show modest or signi cant improvement in men's uptake of HIV care services(47,52,53). ...
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Background The 2017 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS blind spot report echoes the challenges as well as the benefits of men’s effective utilization of HIV services. However, men have been consistently missing from the HIV care cascade, leading to poor health outcomes in men and ongoing transmission of HIV in young women in South Africa. This study sought to understand key barriers to effective uptake of HIV services among men, and potential strategies to address these challenges. Methods Ten telephone interviews and three workshops were conducted (July-November 2020) with a purposive sample of men aged 21–65 years (n = 26) from rural KwaZulu-Natal. Broad themes were identified from the interview transcripts and analyzed inductively. Results Masculine norms, stigma and fear of an HIV identity were major barriers to the uptake of HIV testing among men as well as hesitancy due to perceived risks. Participants living with HIV identified various socio-psychological, structural, and COVID-related factors inhibiting HIV treatment uptake and adherence. Besides condoms and circumcision, no participant had prior knowledge of PrEP. Participants suggested that men need tailored HIV/AIDS messaging and education (led by men living with HIV) about the benefits of HIV testing, treatment, and prevention. Importantly, they believed that community delivery of HIV services would encourage more men to engage in care. Conclusion To achieve zero new infections and zero AIDS-related deaths among men in South Africa, efforts should be directed towards developing tailored emotive educational and community-based interventions that address identified barriers to improve men’s utilizations of HIV care services.
... Previous research reported a relationship between SC and masculine identity [21][22][23]. In the arena of sexual health and STI prevention in MSM, masculine identity has been considered an important aspect, although to date, several gaps have been found due to the lack of consideration of affective and sexual diversity and their relation to this identity, which reduces the effectiveness of preventive interventions [24]. ...
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Men who have sex with men are at increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections. Although behavioral and contextual interventions have improved, infections are still spreading. A new focus is needed regarding the influence of sexual compulsivity and gender self-identification. The objective was to explore the relationship between SC and gender stereotype self-identification in MSM in Spain. A cross-sectional study based on an anonymous online survey of a sample of 881 MSM in Spain was performed. A validated Sexual Compulsivity Scale was applied as well as the Bem Sex Role Inventory to identify gender stereotype self-identification. A total of 87.5% of participants identified as gay, while 106 (12%) were sexually compulsive. The Bem Sex Role Inventory showed excellent reliability (0.92 Cronbach's alpha). Gender stereotype classification showed the undifferentiated category as predominant (n = 325; 36.9%). The androgynous category had higher scores on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale, while the feminine category had lower scores (p < 0.007). Those identifying as androgynous scored higher overall on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (15; p < 0.001; [12-20]) and subscales ("Interference of sexual behavior" (5; p < 0.001; [4-7]) and "Failure to control sexual impulses" (9; p = 0.014; [7-12])). Education level, cohabitation, sexual role, and unprotected sexual practices are related to sexual compulsivity according to different gender stereotypes. Sexual compulsivity is related to gender stereotype self-identification in men who have sex with men. Specific sociodemographic, behavior, and sexual profiles exist for those at greater risk of sexually transmitted infection dissemination. The undifferentiated category is at greater risk of engaging in unprotected practices. New avenues of prevention that include these findings could shift heteronormative standards to better understand current trends in the sexual health of men who have sex with men.
... Some of these norms highly value physical strength instead of a display of physical and emotional vulnerability and illness. They further value sexual prowess, multiple sexual partners, leadership, and family provider roles, as aspects that maintain their independence and ability to work (Jacques-Aviñó et al., 2019;Sileo et al., 2018). ...
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Gender, as a social determinant of health, can favor social and health inequalities that compromise the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study aims to compare HRQOL in women and men with HIV in Brazil and identify factors associated with their physical and mental health. Two hundred eighteen men and 101 women with HIV completed a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36v2), the HIV/AIDS-Targeted Quality of Life (HAT-QOL), and the WHOQOL-HIV BREF. HRQOL scores were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify factors related to Physical and Mental Health (PCS and MCS of SF-36v2). Women had worse HRQOL than men in all three instruments. Models for Physical Health (Women: R² = 0.56, p < .001; Men: R² = 0.552, p < .001) and Mental Health (Women: R² = 0.602, p < .001; Men: R² = 0.600, p < .001) showed gender-related differences. Overall Function (Women: Beta = 0.496; Men: Beta = 0.387) and Level of Independence (Women: Beta = 0.375; Men: Beta = 0.305) were the domains that best predicted Physical Health in both genders. Environment in women (Beta = − 0.289) and Psychological in men (Beta = 0.372) were the domains that best predicted Mental Health. Significant HRQOL and physical and mental health differences were associated with gender in PLWHA in Brazil.
... Data from the 2010 European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS-2010) showed that selling sex was more common among those born outside their current country of residence [2]. Lastly, the stigma against a same-sex relationship and strong gender norms combined with migration status and trajectory can impact risk behaviors such as engaging in buying sex and condomless sex as an expression of masculinity [20][21][22]. ...
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Background Little is known about transactional sex (TS) (selling and buying sex) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Sweden, especially among foreign-born MSM. This study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors of TS (ever and in the previous five years) among MSM living in Sweden and to determine if there is a difference between Swedish-born MSM and foreign-born MSM. Methods Swedish data from a multicountry online banner survey (EMIS-2017) was used ( n = 4443). Multivariable regression analysis was applied to analyse the data. Results The prevalence of ever-selling sex among all MSM participants was 13.2% and 5.9% in the previous five years. Selling sex ever and in the previous five years was higher among foreign-born MSM (16% and 8.4%, respectively) than Swedish-born MSM (12.7% and 5.4%, respectively). Among all participants, younger age (aOR:3.19, 95% CI:1.57–6.45) and really struggling to live on current income (aOR:3.37, 95% CI:2.29–4.96) increased the odds of selling sex. Being foreign-born MSM (aOR:1.33, 95% CI:1.02–1.73) and having had sex with a woman in the previous 12 months increased the odds of selling sex (aOR:1.44, 95% CI:1.00–2.07). The prevalence of ever buying sex among MSM participants in Sweden was 10.8% and 6.7% in the previous five years, with the same trend among foreign-born MSM (11.6% and 6.9%, respectively) and Swedish-born MSM (10.7% and 6.6%, respectively). Higher education and not having a current partner increased the odds of buying sex. Younger age was protective for buying sex (aOR:0.05, 95% CI:0.02–0.14). Among the foreign-born MSM, the length of stay in Sweden decreased the odds of buying sex (aOR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96–0.99). Conclusions The comparatively high prevalence of TS among MSM participants in Sweden, where buying sex is illegal, with a higher prevalence among foreign-born MSM participants, calls for sexual and reproductive health and rights interventions in this population. Increased attention, including HIV prevention programming and education, should be aimed at younger MSM, MSM struggling with their current income, and foreign-born MSM, as they are more likely to report selling sex.
... The study findings should be considered in light of factors that are known to influence adherence and AOD behaviors for each gender. This includes women being more likely than men to use AOD as a coping strategy in response to trauma [45][46][47][48] and the role of masculinity in promoting heavy AOD use and reducing HIV care participation [38,[49][50][51]. Interventions should potentially consider such factors and test whether including them in treatment further improves outcomes. ...
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Little is known about gender effects of alcohol and drug use (AOD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in resource-limited settings. Using multilevel models, we tested whether gender moderated the effect of Khanya, a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based intervention addressing antiretroviral (ART) adherence and AOD reduction. We enrolled 61 participants from HIV care and examined outcomes at 3- and 6-months compared to enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU). Gender significantly moderated the effect of Khanya on ART adherence (measured using electronically-monitored and biomarker-confirmed adherence), such that women in Khanya had significantly lower ART adherence compared to men in Khanya; no gender differences were found for AOD outcomes. Exploratory trajectory analyses showed men in Khanya and both genders in ETAU had significant reductions in at least one AOD outcome; women in Khanya did not. More research is needed to understand whether a gender lens can support behavioral interventions for PLWH with AOD. Trial registry ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03529409. Trial registered on May 18, 2018.
Chapter
The chapter explores how to decolonise and Africanise the concept of hegemonic masculinity invented by Raewyn Connell and colleagues over three decades ago. Hegemonic masculinity has become the most widely used analytical concept in masculinity studies worldwide. However, it carries with it Eurocentric assumptions about gender that seem to overlook “other” non-Western ontologies and epistemologies. In particular, the Global North masculinity literature represents hegemonic masculinity as “configuration” of practices within a gender structure, overlooking matters of spirituality pertinent to African people. This chapter reconceptualises hegemonic masculinity as a “complex configuration” to highlight specifically the African ways of conceptualising social reality and human action. It shows that African endogenous ontologies consider humans as “composite beings”, encompassing both the human elements and non-human elements, like the ancestral spirits living “inside” human bodies. In accounting for hegemonic masculinity (i.e. practise that legitimates men’s power over women), our research must consider both the corporeal and non-corporeal aspects of personhood because all of them have an impact on men’s social conduct and human relationships. By only focussing on physical manifestations of hegemonic masculinity, current masculinities research misses critical aspects of social life in Africa. The first section offers a brief account of hegemonic masculinity, followed by an exploration of how hegemonic masculinity applies to an African context to elucidate certain societal dynamics such as, amongst others, male domination, multiple masculinities, and gender justice. The last section offers a decolonial, African-centred, decolonial conceptualisation of hegemonic masculinity.
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Los discursos sobre las masculinidades pueden tener implicaciones adversas sobre la salud de los hombres aumentando su vulnerabilidad a ciertas enfermedades, reduciendo su expectativa de vida y disminuyendo su disposición para solicitar servicios de salud. Estos discursos sociales permean el proceso de estigmatización hacia el VIH/SIDA, afectándolos de manera particular. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar la intersección entre discursos sobre las masculinidades y la estigmatización del VIH/SIDA en hombres puertorriqueños. El diseño del estudio fue uno de corte exploratorio, para el cual se realizaron entrevistas cualitativas y semiestructuradas a 16 hombres puertorriqueños con VIH. Los resultados del análisis aluden a las siguientes dimensiones: relaciones de pareja, coexistencia de múltiples estigmas debido a su preferencia sexual y dificultad en el manejo de las emociones expresadas por otros/as. Los datos evidencian la necesidad de abordar, desde una perspectiva de género, las implicaciones de la estigmatización para contribuir a mejorar su calidad de vida y transformar los discursos sobre los roles de géneros tradicionales. Esperamos que el objetivo y los resultados de nuestra investigación contribuyan a la creciente literatura sobre los significados sociales de la epidemia del VIH/SIDA y su intersección con las expectativas sociales que impone la masculinidad hegemónica sobre los hombres.
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This article presents findings from a pilot intervention in 2005–6 to promote gender equity among young men from low-income communities in Mumbai, India. The project involved formative work on gender, sexuality and masculinity, and educational activities with 126 young men, aged 18–29, over a six-month period. The programme of activities was called Yari-dosti, which is Hindi for friendship or bonding among men, and was adapted from a Brazilian intervention. Pre-and post-intervention surveys, including measures of attitudes towards gender norms using the Gender Equitable Men (GEM) Scale and other key outcomes, qualitative interviews with 31 participants, monitoring and observations were used as evaluation tools. Almost all the young men actively participated in the activities and appreciated the intervention. It was often the first time they had had the opportunity to discuss and reflect on these issues. The interviews showed that attitudes towards gender and sexuality, as reported behaviour in relationships, had often changed. A survey two months later also showed a significant decrease in support for inequitable gender norms and sexual harassment of girls and women. The results suggest that the pilot was successful in reaching and engaging young men to critically discuss gender dynamics and health risk, and in shifting key gender-related attitudes. Résumé Cet article présente les conclusions d’une intervention pilote menée en 2005-06 pour promouvoir l’égalité des sexes chez les jeunes hommes de communautés à faible revenu à Mumbai, Inde. Le projet comportait une formation sur la parité, la sexualité et la masculinité, et des activités éducatives avec 126 hommes, âgés de 18 à 29 ans, pendant six mois. Le programme, appelé Yari-dosti, mot hindi signifiant amitié ou liens masculins, s’inspirait d’un projet brésilien. L’évaluation a utilisé des enquêtes avant et après l’intervention avec l’échelle GEM (Gender Equitable Men) et d’autres résultats clés, des entretiens qualitatifs avec 31 participants, un suivi et des observations. Presque tous les hommes ont participé activement et ont apprécié l’intervention. C’était souvent la première fois qu’ils pouvaient parler de manière critique de ces questions. Les entretiens ont montré que les attitudes à l’égard de la parité et de la sexualité, comme le comportement dans les relations, avaient souvent changé. Une enquête deux mois plus tard a révélé une diminution sensible du soutien aux normes d’inégalité sexuelle et moins de harcèlement sexuel des jeunes filles et des femmes. Les résultats indiquent que l’intervention est parvenue à atteindre les jeunes hommes et à les convaincre de parler de la dynamique entre les sexes et du risque sanitaire, et à modifier des attitudes clés liées à la parité. Resumen En este artículo se presentan los hallazgos de una intervención piloto realizada en 2005-06 para promover la equidad de género entre hombres jóvenes de comunidades de bajos ingresos en Mumbai, India. El proyecto implicó formatión sobre el género, la sexualidad y la masculinidad y actividades educativas con 126 hombres jóvenes, de 18 a 29 años de edad, durante seis meses. El programa denominado Yari-dosti, término hindi que significa amistad o vinculación entre hombres fue adaptado de una intervención brasilera. Se utilizaron encuestas pre-y post-intervención, incluidas las medidas de actitudes hacia las normas de género utilizando una escala llamada Gender Equitable Men (GEM) y otros resultados clave, entrevistas cualitativas con 31 participantes, monitoreo y observaciones. Casi todos los jóvenes participaron al máximo en las actividades y agradecieron la intervención. Para muchos, ésta era su primera oportunidad de discutir estos asuntos. Las entrevistas mostraron que las actitudes hacia el género y la sexualidad, como comportamiento en las relaciones, con frecuencia habían cambiado. Una encuesta realizada dos meses después mostró una disminución significante en el apoyo de normas de género no equitativas y menos acoso sexual de las niñas y mujeres. Los resultados indican que el piloto motivó a los jóvenes a analizar las dinámicas de género y el riesgo a la salud y cambiar las actitudes relacionadas con el género.
Book
La profesion –formacion- docente es un tema crucial en los actuales debates educativos. La existencia de dos decretos y el desplazamiento del verdadero sentido del ser maestro reclaman de los analisis un ejercicio de comprension del orden discursivo oficial. La calidad es el sustrato de la sociedad de control. En este marco se agencia nuevas practicas de subjetivacion del maestro los cuales podriamos situar en la calidad, flexibilidad, adaptabilidad, eficiencia, eficacia. En cualquier caso, el esfuerzo por hacer del maestro un intelectual de la educacion fue borrado. La gran cuestion consiste en saber que discursos regula el saber del docente a la luz de la sociedad de control.
Article
This double Special Issue of Global Public Health presents a collection of articles that seek more adequately to represent sexual and gender diversities and to begin to rethink the relationship to HIV prevention and health promotion – in both the resource rich nations of the global North, as well as in the more resource constrained nations of the global South. Reckoning with the reality that today the global response to HIV has failed to respond to the needs of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and transgender persons, we turn our attention to processes and practices of categorisation and classification, and the entanglement of the multiple social worlds that constitute our understanding of each of these categories and people within the categories. Jointly, these articles provide critical perspectives on how defining and redefining categories may impact the conceptual frameworks and empirical evidence that inform global understandings of HIV infection, those communities most vulnerable, and our collective response to the evolving HIV epidemic.
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Considering the plural and socially heterogeneous character of HIV/AIDS epidemics, I intend to present the pragmatic forms and ways of gender appropriation, negotiation and conflict in regard to the meaningful dispositions of masculinity and femininity as well as the broad combinations between men and women of different sexual identities and/or specific serologic status. I will describe and discuss the particular contexts in which the HIV/AIDS social world was developed. Above all, I focused the everyday activities in one important Brazilian AIDS NGO. Public and private situations in Rio de Janeiro will be also approached. I intend to discuss how new subjectivities can be created and made through the use of sexual and serologic categories, moral values and gender performances.
Article
The goal of the current study was to explore notions of masculinity and their linkages to HIV/AIDS among Owambo men and women in Namibia, where an estimated one-fifth of 15 - 49 year-olds have acquired HIV. Thirteen open-ended interviews and three focus groups were conducted with 50 male and female participants aged 19 - 50 in rural and urban Namibia. Qualitative analysis revealed six central themes: the evolving meanings of masculinity, power dynamics between men and women, women as active agents, the tension between formal and informal education and HIV transmission, alcohol and masculinity, and the blending of masculinity and explanations of HIV and AIDS. The findings suggest both direct and indirect linkages between notions of masculinity and AIDS, and highlight the need for prevention efforts that focus on providing alternative avenues for attaining culturally recognized markers of masculinity.