Access to and utilization of health services by male survivors of gender based violence in Kamwenge District

Abstract

Gender Based violence is a global health issue that poses a greater risk for physical, sexual, and mental health problems and effects such as self-esteem, productivity, autonomy, capacity to care and even death. There is evidence that number of male survivors of GBV in Uganda is increasing. However, these have difficulties in accessing and utilizing of response services by male survivors of gender based violence in Kamwenge district The study aimed at exploring the accessibility and utilization of health services by male survivors of gender based violence with the specific objectives of to establish the level of access to health services of male survivors of GBV in Kamwenge district, to establish the level of utilization of health services of male survivors of GBV in Kamwenge district, to establish the perception Male survivors have towards health services of male survivors of GBV in Kamwenge district , and to establish the challenges male survivors of GBV face in accessing health services in Kamwenge District. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. A total of 66 male survivors of GBV (adults above 18years) were recruited using simple random sampling for the study from Kampala B village in Kamwenge District. The results of the study show that that there is limited access and utilization of health services by male survivors of GBV as majority of GBV male survivors do not seek for health services. Secondly, the male survivors of GBV had negative perceptions towards the health services and GBV male survivors meet a number of challenges in accessing and utilizing health services and they are; stigma associated with being a survivor, religious challenges where men feel they have sinned by engaging in forbidden sexual acts and fear of exclusion. This study recommends that Government puts in place more awareness campaigns about the health services available and where to access them to help to reduce the effects of GBV.