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Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Accra, Ghana and Lome, Togo: Sexual History and HIV Risk Behavior

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Children and Young People Living with HIV/AIDS

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Research in Health, Illness and Well-Being ((CCRHIWB))

Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM) have high HIV incidence and prevalence rates worldwide. In Africa, studies have found that MSM are at least three times likely to be HIV infected compared to the general population. Hence, it is important to ascertain factors that influence risky sexual behavior among MSM in Africa. This study uses a qualitative approach to examine sexual histories and factors that explain risky sexual behavior among young MSM in Accra, Ghana and Lome, Togo. We identified two ways through which sexual encounters happened: planned and unplanned. Also, a few sexual risk behaviors were found: inconsistent use of condom, having multiple sexual partners, and exchange sex for valued resources. Reasons for exhibiting sexual risk behavior vary. Data show that some of the MSM did not use condoms or use condoms inconsistently because of availability of antiretroviral drugs, wanting partners to ejaculate faster, intense sexual urge prior to anal sex, and unavailability of condoms. Some MSM had multiple sexual partners because they believe that the MSM world is made of unfaithful young men. Others had female partners to conceal their homosexual orientation, and these women did not like condoms. Reasons why MSM exchanged sex were mainly lack of financial means, such as not having money for food, not being able to make ends meet, paying for tuition, etc. Prevention efforts must target MSM who exhibit risky sexual behavior and help them adopt safer sex as some of the MSM serve as a “sexual bridge,” further contributing to the expansion of HIV/AIDS among the general population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of North Texas, 1401 Eufemia Dr, Denton, TX, 76207, USA

    Ami Moore

  2. ISSER (Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research), University of Ghana, LG 74, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Adobea Owusu

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  1. Ami Moore
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  2. Adobea Owusu
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Correspondence to Ami Moore .

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  1. School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia

    Pranee Liamputtong

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Moore, A., Owusu, A. (2016). Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Accra, Ghana and Lome, Togo: Sexual History and HIV Risk Behavior. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Children and Young People Living with HIV/AIDS. Cross-Cultural Research in Health, Illness and Well-Being. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29936-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29936-5_11

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