Impact mitigation of the spread of HIV/AIDS among Men having Sex with Men (MSM) in Abuja

Back ground

Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) are one of the high-risk groups vulnerable to HIV infection. The cultural and religious factors that lead to the denial of male sexual contact increases their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. MSM are members of all communities, all races and ethnicities, and all strata of society. Some MSM identify themselves as being gay whereas others do not and also have female sexual partners and may be married. This epidemiological vulnerability is strongly linked to socio-cultural, religious beliefs and political vulnerability. These factors prohibits same sex practice in Nigeria, and those engaged in them are seen as evil and as such are highly stigmatized and discriminated against which could translate into physical attack. They face huge problems in finding proper health care when they reveal they have sex with men and low self esteem. The stigma associated with homosexuality may inhibit some men from identifying themselves as gay or bisexual, even though they have sex with other men. The result of this is the increase in STIs and HIV/AIDS and hindered access to health care services and treatment options.
Lack of Sexual reproductive health and HIV integrated services targeting MSM is likely a component of the HIV epidemic among MSM and play a key role in the dynamics of the epidemic (bridging population).

Goal

To provide Men having Sex with Men (MSM) with HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT), syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Condom and other prevention (C&OP) messages in Abuja.

Project area & Activities

The Center collaborated with Alliance Rights of Nigeria (ARN), Abuja. The catchment project area was Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This ongoing project seeks to reach out to 400 MSMs in Abuja with a minimum of three interventions which includes peer education, condom distribution, HCT, syndronmic management of STI, referral of HIV positive patients and provision of lubricants.

Results / Discussion

Many MSM have continually died as a result of HIV/AIDS, and lack of access to appropriate information. MSM clients were provided with peer to peer interventions focused on identifying sexual risk behaviors, HIV/AIDS/STI prevention and transmission. The peer educators were able to step down appropriate information to their peers and refer clients for HCT and STI to the CRH clinic. About 20% of the clients have opted for HCT, with about 50% identified as HIV positive. Clients who were referred to ART PEPFAR sites did not show up after their first visit. This was as a result of long queues at the hospitals, fear of being identified as MSM, and lack of transport fare. More than half of the clients had one form of STI and anal tear. Many resulted to self medication with over the counter antibiotics that leaded to recurring STIs, and multiple partner infection. As a result of the CRH clinic, many clients have come in for treatment with referrals from friends and peer educators.

The need to target BCC resource materials and appropriate information to specifically target MSMs across will go along in increase in health care services. The study also identified the need to re-orientate health care providers to avoid sexuality based stigma & discrimination of clients.

Reccommedation

• There is an urgent need to develop more programme intervensions targeting MSM individuals with prevention information and service provisions.
• Health care facilities should be more MSM friendly to enable MSM individuals have more confidence to access services at these centers.

With funding from Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN)

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