Men encouraged to cultivate health seeking behaviours

By Sharon Chimenya

HEALTH institutions have amplified the call for men to nurture health-seeking
behaviour and to participate in family planning and contraception matters
during this month of November.
November, which is commonly referred to “Movember” or the “No shave
November”, is dedicated to drawing attention to male health problems such as
prostate cancer. It is characterised by men growing their beard or moustaches.
The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), Masvingo
Provincial Education and Marketing Officer, Herbert Chikosi, said during the
men’s month the institution is offering free sugar check-ups, BP checks and
amplifying the issues of prostate cancer.
“November is men’s health. It is the month when we value men’s health and as
ZNFPC our thrust in November is to amplify male involvement in family
planning and contraception as well as male involvement in Adolescent Sexual
Reproductive Health to include menstrual health management.
“It is the month, where we encourage men to seek health services, the general
sugar check-ups and BP check-ups. We are running free issues in terms of sugar
checking, BP checking and we are amplifying issues of prostate cancer.”
He said men should thrive to visit clinics this month to do any of the check-ups
or even to just get information on any health conditions.
“This comes against a background, where ordinarily men have poor health
seeking behaviours. Normally, they tend to come to health facilities when they
are seriously ill,” he said.