/ 16 December 2016

Engaging men and boys in HIV prevention and reproductive health: Fred’s story

Fred Mutyaba
Fred Mutyaba

Kasenyi Landing Site lies on the northern shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda. The lake traverses the borders of Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. Here, both fishing companies and private fisher folk alike make their living from selling the catch of fresh water fish found in the lake.

The informal settlement surrounding the landing site is home to fisher folk and their families, as well as informal traders, boda boda (motorcycle taxi) drivers, sex workers, night club owners and many others. Fisher folk, as well as their families and surrounding communities, are a mobile population and thus are at a higher risk of HIV infection. They experience a range of psycho-social and structural barriers to health care and HIV services which can prevent them from accessing HIV testing, treatment and care.

Fred Mutyaba is an informal trader who works and lives at Kasenyi Landing Site. He sells solar panels to local residents on hire purchase and is a popular figure among the other traders and fisher folk at the market place on the water.

Fred lives close to the landing site with his wife and four children — Fred’s older son by another partnership, Julius (6), Jonathan (5) and Jennifer (15 months). His wife, Mariam, is living with HIV and Fred and the children are HIV negative.

Mariam found out she was HIV positive when she was pregnant with Julius, but was very afraid and they both struggled to accept her HIV status, especially as Fred was found to be HIV negative. “I was shocked. I said, ‘These people are mistaken, if I am negative you cannot be positive,’” says Fred. They went for several follow-up HIV tests, each time rejecting the results.

When Mariam fell pregnant with Jonathan, she had another HIV test as part of her antenatal care. “I went to Mildmay Hospital; first I went on my own and then I later asked the doctor to phone Fred and ask him to come over. We were tested together. I was HIV positive and he was not. This time I accepted it. I was counselled and they asked me if I was ready to take the antiretroviral medicines and I said I was. And I am really alright now. I have no problem with the medicines.”

Their acceptance of being a discordant couple has changed their lives. “As a family we decided to talk about these couples. If you find out that your wife is infected and you are not or the man is infected and you are not, it is not the end of your marriage. As a family, we are free. It was not the fault of Mariam to get this. Now we are together, encouraging other people. You can be in a happy family. I like my family. I like my kids. I like my wife. I can’t live without these people. They are my future.”

Mariam’s viral load is undetectable and she has decided to be open about her HIV status, in order to encourage other women living with HIV. “I would like to say this to other mothers like me: do not be afraid to go for an HIV test and know your status because I am HIV positive and I am fine. I am taking my antiretroviral medicines, I have three HIV negative children and I am very well.”