std-hiv-aids-2017-posters-accepted-abstracts

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International Journal of HIV and AIDS research

International Conference on

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, AIDS and Parasitic Infections

Parasitology, Infectious Diseases, STDs and STIs

September 21-22, 2017 San Antonio, TX, USA

Examining HIV/AIDS related risk behavior experiences of men having sex with men

(msm) in Addis Ababa

Abebaw Minaye

and

Girma Tamiru

Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Yonsei University, South Korea

he aim of this study was to explore risky sexual behaviors from experiences of MSMs in Addis Ababa, to

inform the need to include these people to HIV preventive efforts in the country. Using phenomenological

method I met 21 MSMs and 4 elite experts working in the area of MSM from Addis Ababa. Fifteen MSMs

and the four experts reported their experiences about the topic through in-depth interview. The rest 6 MSMs

shared with me their lived sexual lives in group discussion. In addition, we have observed this community at

four different real life situations, at Khat chewing ceremony, in the night clubs, at engagement and birthday

ceremonies (parties) and in cinema halls. Furthermore the profile of gay Ethiopians on Planet-Romeo (only gay

social media) and some posts of gays in the city and forwarded comments to the posts on different social media

were analyzed. Participants (MSMs) were aged between 19 and 45 years and came from diverse socio-economic

backgrounds. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Coding, grouping

and categorization was done using open code computer software. Eleven men out of twenty one MSM in the

study saw their same-sex attraction as part of their nature. But ten attracted to the same sex life through peer

pressure and sexual abuse by their closest people. Close to 28% of the study participants were found to be HIV

positive. Almost all (21) MSMs disclosed that at least once in their life they suffered from different types of STDs

and other gay related health problems. Lifetime sexual partner numbers ranged from two to more than 1000. For

several men, relationships were not primarily centered on romantic feelings but instead intimately connected to

economic and sexual dependence. Condom use in this community is seen as full of myths as it is parching sex and

reducing sexual orgasm. Comprehensive knowledge on HIV in this community is found to be very low as it can

be seen in their misconception on unprotected anal sex is not risky type of sex for HIV rather they believe vaginal

sex is risky. The sexual network of these people is found very wide and highly interrelated with heterosexuals

through bisexuals. Male commercial sex work is expanding and clients for such MCSW are gays, married

bisexuals, university students, foreigners, and all types of people from all walks of life irrespective of age, ethnic

group, religion, academic background and social status. Several informants felt they are in Psychological stress

related living in a highly homophobic society. This study contextualizes risky sexual relationships among MSM

in Addis Ababa and highlights the extent to which HIV prevention activities in the city need to consider MSM in

the city so as to save the MSM in particular and the sexual majority in general.