We see a female health worker interact with “Boda Boda” (means “border to border” or “point-to-point”) motorcycle taxi drivers. These young men have a relatively good income and are considered a good catch for young women, also because hey can pick up and bring girls to school on their motorcycle. They are also considered a group at higher risk getting infected with HIV, have higher incidence rates, and as a result they are a focus group for the circumcision program that we are visiting today. In addition, Boda Boda are an organized group and easily spread word if they get convinced VMMC (voluntary male medical circumcision) is a good idea. Even their wives, where applicable, are targeted to put pressure on Boda Boda to get circumcised.

Circumcision reduces the change for men of getting infected by HIV by around 60%. Estimates are that each man that gets circumcised today in this region, between 5-15 HIV new infections can be averted by 2030, according to the Institute of Disease Modelling in the US. Government target is 30,000 circumcisions per year by 2030, and a coverage of 80% of the population.

Health volunteers (like Luitgard, blue t-shirt) who do outreach among Boda Boda are almost always female. The Boda Boda love talking to women, especially about themes linked to sex. If a woman tells them something, they tend to believe it. So they are more effective.

Luitgard has been an ICAP employed “mobilization officer” for 6 six. Essentially she bring clients to the different clinic. She also coordinates roadshows, local (town) outreach events with the same aim. She is comfortable talking to groups of young men, and doesn’t flinch answering the most intimate and explicit questions they may have.

She tells men that VMMC is important. Not only does it reduce HIV infection chance. It’s also an opportunity to get tested for HIV for free at the clinic. She makes use of flyers, uses flipcharts, and puts up posters.

70% of men getting VMMC are men between 10-18 years. Right now 70% of men in this group are circumcised now.

53,000 male circumcisions have been performed in this region (check exactly what region) between Nov 2012 and March 2016.

Men who agree to get circumcised gather at a meeting place, then get pick up with a van and are brought to the clinic.