Latest figures from the Health Protection Agency suggest that just under half (49%) of the 6,100 African men who have acquired their HIV infection through heterosexual contact remain undiagnosed. This contrasts starkly with the 84% of the 10,100 African women who have had their HIV diagnosed, mainly through ante-natal and GUM services. Additionally, evidence based prevention activities specifically targeting African men are limited in number, reflecting the need for research in this area.

In October 2004 the African HIV Research Forum (AHRF) held a seminar day focused on African Men and HIV. Over 100 delegates attended the Methodist International Centre, London to discuss the research and prevention needs of African men living in the UK.

As usual the day began with co-chair of the Forum, Ade Fakoya, inviting delegates to participate in small group discussion about the main issues. Delegates identified stigma, constructions of masculinity, barriers to testing and the impact of migration on health seeking behaviour as areas in need of further research. Some participants also recommended that work to develop leadership skills fro African men.

The presentations began with Patricia Apenteng and Jane Anderson updating delegates about the latest findings from the African Men Study, a counterpart to last year’s qualitative study looking at the lifestyles of African women surviving with HIV in London. This was followed by Priscilla Nkewnti, Deputy Chief Executive of the Black Health Agency, providing a much needed overview of work with African men outside of London. In the last presentation of the morning Reverend Rowland Jide Macauley described the highs and lows of running Club Afreaka, a nightclub for African men who have sex with men funded by Camden Primary Care Trust.

The afternoon Research Methodology session was chaired by Clement Musonda, from the Organisation of Positive African Men (OPAM). After a brief presentation from Gillian Elam, an experienced qualitative researcher from the Health Protection Agency, delegates discussed some of the challenges encountered when conducting qualitative research with black and minority ethnic populations.

The day was brought to a close by Dr Jane Anderson in her new capacity as Co-chair of the AHRF. She replaces Dr Kevin Fenton, who has taken a position with the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta, USA. Dr Fenton will continue to be part of the AHRF steering committee and plans to return for the Eighth seminar day in May 2005.

More details about the presentations, the speakers and .pdf files of the slides used.

One of the most important aspects of AHRF seminar days is the opportunity to exhange information about new and ongoing research. More details