High HIV risk behavior among men who have sex with men in Kigali, Rwanda: making the case for supportive prevention policy

via AIDS Care

Chapman J, Koleros A, Delmont Y, Pegurri E, Gahire R, Binagwaho A. (2011). High HIV risk behavior among men who have sex with men in Kigali, Rwanda: making the case for supportive prevention policy. AIDS Care, 23(4):449-55. DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2010.507758.

 

Abstract:

Rwanda has responded strongly to HIV/AIDS, but prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) has not yet been addressed due to a strong cultural resistance to homosexuality, and a lack of data showing the public health value of attending to the sexual health needs of this group. We conducted an exploratory study on HIV risk among MSM in Kigali using snowball sampling involving peer leaders. The 99 respondents were demographically, socially, and sexually diverse. Respondents reported relatively high numbers of male and female partners, and considerable HIV risk behaviors including commercial sex with men and women, low condom use during anal and vaginal sex, and high mobility. Many respondents reported verbal and/or physical abuse due to their sexuality. This first study of MSM in Rwanda has brought attention to a previously neglected HIV risk group and their potential driving role in the Rwandan epidemic, demonstrating the need for sensitive and targeted interventions.


[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

High HIV risk behavior among men who have sex with men in Kigali, Rwanda: making the case for supportive prevention policy

AIDS Care. 2011 Apr;23(4):449-55.

Chapman J, Koleros A, Delmont Y, Pegurri E, Gahire R, Binagwaho A.

Futures Group International, Washington, DC, USA.

Abstract

Rwanda has responded strongly to HIV/AIDS, but prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) has not yet been addressed due to a strong cultural resistance to homosexuality, and a lack of data showing the public health value of attending to the sexual health needs of this group. We conducted an exploratory study on HIV risk among MSM in Kigali using snowball sampling involving peer leaders. The 99 respondents were demographically, socially, and sexually diverse. Respondents reported relatively high numbers of male and female partners, and considerable HIV risk behaviors including commercial sex with men and women, low condom use during anal and vaginal sex, and high mobility. Many respondents reported verbal and/or physical abuse due to their sexuality. This first study of MSM in Rwanda has brought attention to a previously neglected HIV risk group and their potential driving role in the Rwandan epidemic, demonstrating the need for sensitive and targeted interventions.

[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate: Gerard Nkundimana

via IRMA

“Building on the growing scientific evidence around the escalating numbers of new HIV infections resulting from unprotected anal sex, I believe that everybody born on this earth needs to understand the urgency to develop safe, effective, affordable and acceptable rectal microbicides among the new HIV prevention technologies.” Gerard Nkundimana

Nkundimana was born and raised in Butare town of southern Rwanda. He is a fifth year medical student at the National University of Rwanda and serves as an advisor and fundraising task force coordinator for the Medical Students’ Association of Rwanda (MEDSAR). Nkundimana became involved with IRMA in 2009 through the Prevention Research E-Learning Centre (http://www.hivpreventionresearch.org/), created by the Global Campaign for Microbicides to help trial staff, advocates, policy makers and other stakeholders understand and speak about the complexities of HIV prevention research. In the last year Nkundimana has used IRMA resources to stay up to date on the scientific, political and funding issues around rectal and vaginal microbicide development, and to engage with experts that are discussing HIV prevention research results and their implications in the real world.

Nkundimana also loves to socialize and to make friends, and enjoys taking part in the global student effort to prevent HIV/AIDS.

“Rectal microbicides are needed to help protect men and women who engage in anal sex. It is clear that they need and deserve protection from HIV and it makes a sense for the world to give it serious consideration on the global agenda to meet their needs.”-Gerard Nkundimana

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[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]