PL04.2 WHERE ARE THE MEN? STI AND SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR MEN

This presentation describes why men are invisible and do not seek sexual health services, mainly STI care and treatment. The review examines1 (i) how masculinity promotes STI/HIV infec-tions; (ii) why men avoid seeking care and services and (ii) what are the means and ways through which services can reach men. The analysis attempts to answer the pathways of how social norms influence roles, behaviours and expectations and reinforce conditions on men through masculinity norms. In addition, it also describes structural barriers such as predominant ‘Feminised’ clinic spaces that inhibit men to seek services and adopt preven-tive behaviours. Culture and social norms influence men's and women's risk through gender roles and relationships and ultimately determine whether, with whom and how various preventive technologies and sexual health services may or may not be used. Dominan