Re: A question: Higher probability of contracting HIVamong MSM?

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

The higher probability of contracting HIV among MSM can mostly be traced to the

fact that:

MSM sex being stigmatised, is mostly furtive and occurs in most unlikely places

where such sexual activity takes place -- as in public parks, public toilets,

hamaams, transport terminals etc. This increases chances of higher STIs and HIV

transmission due to multiple partners, higher chances of anal sex and a feeling

such sex is not vulnerable to STIs etc.

MSM sex, per se, is not always anal sex and the quantum of anal sex in same-sex

and hetero-sex activity is nearly the same (between 35 to 50 per cent of all

sexual transactions). But, the higher number of partners increases the

probability factor for HIV transmission.

All the Humsafar Trust's tracking instruments show average number of casual

partners as " high " to " very high " (between 4 and 11 casual/irregular partners in

the last one month of recall).

Health seeeking activity is rising like checking one's body parts like penis and

anal region whereas this never happened before (ref: BSS tracking of USAID-Avert

Society in Maharashtra) and so is the increasing number of STIs being discovered

in time for treatment.

This is the good news.

Condom use must be accompanied by use of lubricants (water based or silcon oil

based so as to remove trauma in genital penetrated region). This not just

reduces trauma but lowers HIV transmission.

The biggest hurdle to working with MSM is the " Stigma Onion " (please refer to

the website of the India Network of Sexual Minorities --INFOSEM -- convened by

Humsafar Trust). To identifiy which stigma must be tackled first is the biggest

problem for any NGO/CBO and must be identified through culturally appropriate

means.

Regards

Ashok Row Kavi

Humsafar Trust

Mumbai metro

e-mail: <arowkavi@...>