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“Boundaries of Sexual Safety”: Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) and HIV/AIDS in Addis Ababa.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: “Boundaries of Sexual Safety”: Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) and HIV/AIDS in Addis Ababa.
Authors: Tadele, Getnet
Source: Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services. Jul-Sep2010, Vol. 9 Issue 3, p261-280. 20p.
Subjects: Homosexuality, AIDS, HIV infection transmission, Anal sex, Safe sex in AIDS prevention, Condom use, Interviewing
Geographic Terms: Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Ethiopia, Africa
Abstract: There is a growing literature on African sexuality that established the presence of homosexuality in about 50 African societies, although widespread public and religious discourse claims homosexuality does not occur in Africa. This article draws from 24 in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion with men who have sex with men (MSM) in Addis Ababa, within a societal context where homosexuality is illegal. The results revealed that there is some degree of misinformation among the MSM who believe that HIV/AIDS can only be transmitted through heterosexual sex. Thus, MSM seemed to be vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and other STIs because of unprotected anal sex, which they believed to be safe. The findings highlight that current efforts aimed at preventing the spread of HIV are not reaching some high-risk behaviors. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at preventing the spread of HIV could benefit from addressing different types of sexual practices and identities. Otherwise, a significant unacknowledged transmission route of HIV may hamper all other public health campaigns against HIV transmission in Ethiopia and make the cost of such campaigns needlessly wasteful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:There is a growing literature on African sexuality that established the presence of homosexuality in about 50 African societies, although widespread public and religious discourse claims homosexuality does not occur in Africa. This article draws from 24 in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion with men who have sex with men (MSM) in Addis Ababa, within a societal context where homosexuality is illegal. The results revealed that there is some degree of misinformation among the MSM who believe that HIV/AIDS can only be transmitted through heterosexual sex. Thus, MSM seemed to be vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and other STIs because of unprotected anal sex, which they believed to be safe. The findings highlight that current efforts aimed at preventing the spread of HIV are not reaching some high-risk behaviors. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at preventing the spread of HIV could benefit from addressing different types of sexual practices and identities. Otherwise, a significant unacknowledged transmission route of HIV may hamper all other public health campaigns against HIV transmission in Ethiopia and make the cost of such campaigns needlessly wasteful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:15381501
DOI:10.1080/15381501.2010.502810