AFRICA: Stigmatised MSM receive little support

In Africa, men who have sex with men (MSM) receive little attention in sexual health and HIV/AIDS programmes, despite a "dangerously high" risk of HIV infection, a new study has found.

Researchers interviewed 250 MSM in Dakar, Senegal and found only 14 percent used condoms for receptive anal intercourse during their last sexual encounter, despite frequent sexual activity.

"Many of them stop using condoms because they say they break. This is because they are not well lubricated," Dr Placide Tapsoba of the Horizons/Population Council, told PlusNews.

Most respondents also reported multiple partners, including women. Eighty-five percent of MSM who had receptive anal sex with a man during the past month, also had vaginal sex with a woman. According to the study, 66 percent of the respondents have been involved in sex work.

Discrimination and constant harassment was also a major problem. "The stigma is very bad. They (MSM) can be ostracised, sent out of their neighbourhoods and even threatened to death by people in the community," Tapsoba said.

The high levels of stigma exposed many of the MSM to the ongoing threat of violence. Stone throwings and beatings were common, the study found. Of the 250 surveyed, 43 percent reported being raped - 13 percent by policemen.

There was an absence of prevention campaigns, counseling and treatment programmes, as well as care and support services which targeted the men, the study noted. The high risk factor of HIV infection was compounded by low levels of knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), despite a general awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Treatment for STIs was "frequently delayed, self administered, or neglected altogether, especially for STI symptoms in the anal area," the research brief said. "In interviews with the men, they told us that they feared going to health workers because they would be exposed and stigmatised," Tapsoba said.

Researchers plan to use the study results to educate programme managers and policymakers about the needs of MSM and the importance of reaching them with non-stigmatising methods.

The study findings demonstrated a need for broader interventions, as information alone was insufficient, he said. Selling condoms with lubricants and making them easily accessible at condom outlets was a suggestion they would be putting forward to the National AIDS Control Programme, he added.

The recently completed study was conducted by researchers from the National AIDS Control Programme, Senegal's Cheikh Anta Diop University, and the Horizons project and includes an examination of the sociocultural context in which sexual behaviour among men takes place.

The report is not yet available on-line. For more information on this study contact:
Dr Placide Tapsoba Email: or
Dr. Cheikh Niang Email:

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]