Intervention during the Thematic Segment on Non-Discrimination of the 31st UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board
Last week, the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF) released the first report from our 2012 Global Men’s Health and Rights Study (GMHR).[1] The study included a global survey of more than 5,000 men who have sex with men (MSM) from over 160 countries and focus group discussions with MSM in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
In nearly every country around the world, gay men and other MSM face higher rates of HIV than the general population, and this is further exacerbated by the discrimination they face in health care settings. The global survey indicated that only one third of MSM can easily access condoms, lubricant, HIV testing, and HIV treatment. Levels of access differed by country income level, with reduced access to services more commonly reported in lower income countries.
The MSMGF research team also conducted analyses to identify barriers (factors associated with lower access) and facilitators (factors associated with higher access) that impact the ability of MSM to obtain condoms, lubricant, HIV testing, and HIV treatment. The survey revealed that homophobia and stigma from health care providers play a significant role in reducing access to life saving HIV resources for MSM. Conversely, greater comfort with health service providers and more community engagement are associated with higher levels of service access.
Focus group discussion participants explained that the negative consequences of structural barriers like stigma, discrimination, and criminalization were moderated by the existence of safe spaces to meet other MSM, safe spaces to receive services, access to competent mental health care, and access to comprehensive health care. Participants described MSM-led community based organizations as safe spaces where they could celebrate their true selves, receive respectful and knowledgeable health care, and in some cases receive mental health services.
The study’s results point to a number of policies and strategies that can help to address the discrimination MSM face in health care settings and the disproportionate burden of HIV among gay men and other MSM:
Achieving these goals will require coordinated action on the part of policy makers, funders, civil society, and health care providers. However, in so doing, we can create the structural environment we need to do address these entrenched inequities effectively.
[1] “Access to HIV Prevention and Treatment for Men Who Have Sex with Men: Findings from the 2012 Global Men’s Health and Rights Study (GMHR),” the full report can be found on the MSMGF’s website at: http://www.msmgf.org/files/msmgf//documents/GMHR_2....
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