Amsterdam 2015
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| Abstract #2020 - Poster 2 | ||||
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Session: 59.23: Poster 2 (Poster) on Tuesday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Albert Ikhile - Anova Health Institute, South Africa |
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| Additional Authors: | ||||
| Aim: Marginalised populations are often excluded from project planning and implementation negating their sense of project involvement and hence the project’s impact. Health4Men, a project of the Anova Health Institute promotes access to competent healthcare for MSM and WSW by sensitising, training and mentoring public sector healthcare workers. The programme is being rolled out in four provinces in partnership with DOH. A rapid assessment, through engaging with MSM/WSW networks, forms an integral aspect of the programme. | ||||
| Method / Issue: We consulted MSM/WSW networks on their local health needs, their access to and experiences of health services and their suggestions regarding which clinics to target for developing competency. 62 MSM and 18 WSW were consulted by administering a questionnaire, conducting 12 focus groups and undertaking ethnographic mapping. Rapid assessments provide a means whereby MSM can address psychological – social factors that impact on individual agency. This is important if health systems are to provide competent and stigma-free services that are relevant. | ||||
| Results / Comments: <40% reported that stigma & discrimination prevent them from accessing clinics. 80% experienced ‘abuse’ in their community and this impacted on accessing prevention and treatment. Education, unemployment, substance abuse, transactional sex, and context mediate sexual practices. For example, sex outside shebeens is mostly unsafe, despite respondents` favourable attitudes to condom use (<60%). <70% of the participants indicated they do not use condoms with proper lube due to non-availability. | ||||
| Discussion: MSM services need integration into public health facilities to maximise reach and sustainability, the Services need to be revised to: • Be informed by the context specific needs of communities. • Address contextual factors that hinder access of services.• Promote a competent and stigma free environment, mindful of the psychological-social factors impacting individual agency.• Include more high risk male populations, including prisoners, commercial sex workers and intravenous-drug users. | ||||
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