Improving Access to HIV Prevention Messages and Services among Men Who Have Sex with Men

PSI recruited and trained 17 young men to serve as peer educators and reach MSM with HIV prevention messages and products. Using their social networks, these men are able to reach other MSM to share HIV prevention messages and provide discreet distribution channels for condoms and sexual lubricants.

Peer education activities are complemented by the sponsorship of social activities, such as monthly movie nights. While these events are intended to provide men with an opportunity to socialise in a safe and accepting environment, PSI uses these gatherings to further promote HIV prevention messages and products.

Over time, the peer education component of the programme has adopted new strategies. To reach MSM who are married to women and have children, the programme recruited 3 MSM who are married to women and trained them to share HIV prevention messages with other married MSM. While integrated into the larger peer education programme, these MSM peer educators work very discretely to provide HIV prevention messages and products to a segment of the population that does not openly associate with other MSM.

Since March 2008, PSI has collaborated with a local organisation, Espoir Vie Togo (EVT), to provide mobile HIV CT services to MSM. PSI trained counsellors from EVT in the particular needs of MSM and how best to counsel and support these men. Mobile CT services are offered during social events, including private parties and PSI-sponsored movie nights. These mobilisation efforts highlight the importance of knowing one's HIV status, addressing stigma toward people living with HIV, and reinforcing HIV prevention messages.

HIV/AIDS.

In 2006, with support from the Global Fund, PSI conducted a small qualitative study to explore the HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices of young MSM in Lomé. The study found that consistent condom use was low, and most men did not believe they were at risk of HIV infection. This low perception of personal risk was described as linked to a belief among MSM in Lomé that HIV is contracted by having sex with women. Men in the study also reported that stigma was a significant barrier to accessing HIV prevention products and services, such as condoms, water-based lubricants, and HIV CT, and that MSM do not identify with HIV prevention programmes designed for the general population. These findings motivated the project summarised above.

PSI has expanded the reach of its MSM programme beyond Lomé by establishing peer education teams in Kara, Kpalimé, and Aného.