By Sohail Agha, PhD
As the song goes, “People are Strange” … and sometimes, so are our health choices.
During our last hashtag#BehavioralScienceMadeEasy Course session, participants presented on how they’d apply their learnings to public health interventions.
One participant made a striking observation:
“Men take all kinds of risks on their boda bodas—speeding through traffic, carrying heavy loads, riding without helmets—but when it comes to HIV testing, suddenly they hesitate.”
Her comment sparked laughter and a fascinating discussion on risk perception, masculinity, and health behaviors.
She added another important insight: “Men test by proxy.” If their partner gets tested, they take that as an indicator of their own status. (What courage! Letting someone else’s test result decide your fate. 😊)
Why Do Men Avoid HIV Testing?
Men engage in physically risky behaviors yet often avoid HIV testing, despite it being a low-risk, high-benefit action. Why?
🔹 Perceived Invincibility: Taking bodily risks (like reckless riding) is a test of strength, but health risks (like HIV) threaten their sense of control.
🔹 Social Stigma & Fear: Unlike a motorcycle accident, an HIV-positive result carries social consequences—making avoidance easier.
🔹 Lack of Immediate Consequences: Reckless riding has instant rewards (speed, adrenaline high), but HIV symptoms take years to appear, so the risk feels distant.
🔹 Health-Seeking Norms: Healthcare is often seen as a woman’s domain—women take kids to the clinic, attend antenatal visits, and get tested more often.
How Can We Change This?
✅ Reframe Testing as Strength: Position HIV testing as a responsible, proactive choice, just like wearing a helmet.
✅ Leverage Role Models: Use male influencers, boda boda leaders, and peers to promote testing.
✅ Make It Convenient: Offer mobile testing at boda boda stops or integrate testing into routine check-ups.
✅ Normalize Conversations: Use social norms messaging—”Most boda riders in your community have been tested.”
What are some effective ways you’ve seen to shift men’s health behaviors?
The blog was first shared as a post on my LinkedIn page on February 23, 2025.