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An Assessment of Health Interventions Required to Prevent the Transmission of HIV Infection Among Men Having Sex with Men in Bujumbura, Burundi

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Abstract

Data regarding HIV among men having sex with men (MSM) in Burundi are scarce. In a context where same-sex practices are illegal, national recommendations including MSM have been issued in 2012. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate MSM’s health needs, which would be useful to adapt recommendations and implement evidence-based interventions. This study aimed at identifying health needs expressed by MSM. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bujumbura in 2014, in collaboration with the National Association for HIV positive people and AIDS patients. Fifty-one MSM, recruited during HIV prevention activities, self-completed a questionnaire. A descriptive analysis was conducted. Participants had a median age of 23 years, over 60 % declared being a member of an LGBT organisation and 76 % lived their homosexuality secretly or discretely. Over the last month, 67 % declared having had sex with a man and 32 % with a woman. In the previous 6 months, 40 % declared having systematically used a condom during sexual intercourse. In terms of health needs, 22 % did not use the services offered by HIV providers. Participants expressed needs in terms of prevention (access to rapid HIV tests, in a confidential setting, with counselling) and care (listening centre, free treatment, confidentiality). Medical expertise and being a good listener were the predominant healthcare staff qualities desired by participants. Results suggest that Burundian MSM represent an at-risk population, with low access to HIV services, in need of a comprehensive approach for HIV prevention, with community-based activities (HIV testing, counselling, prevention tools), psychological and social support.

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Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank the MSM participants, LGBT organisations in Bujumbura (Humure, Rainbow Candle Light, Together for Women’s Rights, Mouvement pour les Libertés Individuelles), peer educators and members of the ANSS for sharing their experiences with us during the research. This work was supported by associations Coalition PLUS and AIDES. In particular we wish to thank Emilie Henry and Emmanuel Cook for their precious advice and involvement in this study. Finally, we would like to thank Grace Cunnane for the English reviewing of this article.

Funding

This study was financially supported by the ANSS and the Coalition Internationale Sida (out of their own budgets).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM, UMR_S 912, Sciences Economiques et Sociales de la Santé et Traitement de l’Information Médicale (SESSTIM), 13385, Marseille, France

    Pierre-julien Coulaud & Bruno Spire

  2. UMR_S 912, IRD, Aix Marseille Université, 13385, Marseille, France

    Pierre-julien Coulaud & Bruno Spire

  3. Association Nationale de Soutien aux Séropositifs et malades du Sida, Centre Tuhiro, Quartier Kigobe Nord, 88 Avenue des Etats-Unis, 4152, Bujumbura, Burundi

    Gabriel Mujimbere, Arsène Nitunga & Candide Kayonde

  4. Coalition Internationale Sida, Tour Essor, 14 rue Scandicci, 93500, Pantin, France

    Emmanuel Trenado & Adeline Bernier

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  1. Pierre-julien Coulaud
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  2. Gabriel Mujimbere
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Correspondence to Pierre-julien Coulaud.

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Coulaud, Pj., Mujimbere, G., Nitunga, A. et al. An Assessment of Health Interventions Required to Prevent the Transmission of HIV Infection Among Men Having Sex with Men in Bujumbura, Burundi. J Community Health 41, 1033–1043 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-016-0187-5

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