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Abstract
PURPOSE / AIM
There are limited data on homosexuality in relation to HIV/AIDS in Cameroon. In order to optimize HIV prevention, it would be of asset to determine sexual behaviors and the HIV prevalence within the community of men having sex with men (MSM).
METHODS
A cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted from August to September 2011 among 239 MSM living in Yaoundé, capital city of Cameroon. The «Respondent Driven Sampling» (RDS) sampling method was used in recruiting MSM, and HIV diagnosis was performed as per the national algorithm.
RESULTS
In terms of sexual behaviors, 10.2% MSM have had sexual intercourse with a male partner when they were 15 years old, a rate that increased to 40% by the age of 18. Interestingly, more than 3/4 (78.2%) practiced both oral and anal intercourses, 25% had experienced grouped sexual intercourses, and 60% were bisexual. Only 32% had used condoms during their last sexual intercourses, and just 20% exerted a systematic use of condom. HIV seroprevalence among MSM was 44.3%, significantly higher among gays (66.2%, p=0.007), and higher among the versatile (61.6%, p=0.06), older MSM (≥30 years: 67.7%), non- condom users (48.1%) and alcoholics (46.2%).
CONCLUSION
The high prevalence of HIV among MSM in Yaoundé is likely favored by the practice of homosexuality itself, (gays), versatility between sexual intercourses, advanced age, the non-use of condoms, and alcoholism. It is therefore crucial to set-up specific prevention strategies for these targets and their respective risk factors, integrating early (children <18ans) and grouped sexual intercourses in the package
KEY WORDS:
Homosexuality; Sexual behaviors; HIV prevalence; CameroonArticle Details
References
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References
- Gueboguo C. La question homosexuelle en Afrique. Le cas du Cameroun. 2006. Paris. L’harmattan. Coll. "Etudes Africaines".
- Comité Nationale de Lutte contre le SIDA au Cameroun. Plan Stratégique National 2011-2015 de lutte contre le VIH, le SIDA et les IST. 2010. Yaoundé. GTC-CNLS.
- Cameroon. Penal code (Law 65-LF-24, 12 November 1965 and Law 67-LF-1, 12 June 1967) art 347 bis-homosexuality.
- FOCAP-PASOC, FISS VIH/SIDA , RAP+. Enquête sur L’Etat des Lieux de la Stigmatisation et la Discrimination à L’Egard des Groupes Marginalisés à Douala et Yaoundé. 2009. Yaoundé.
- Wade AS, Kane CT, Diallo PA et al. HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men in Senegal. AIDS. 2005; 19(18):2133-40.
- Comité Nationale de Lutte contre le SIDA au Cameroun. Proposition VIH du Cameroun‐Série 10 (Global Fund Round 10). Accès universel pour la PTME, la prise en charge globale des PVVIH et la prévention du VIH auprès des populations les plus exposées au Cameroun. 2010. Yaoundé.
- Levy SL, Lemeshow S. Sampling of populations: Methods and applications. 1999. New York. John Wiley & Sons.
- Salganik MJ. Variance estimation, design effects and sample size calculations for respondent driven sampling. Journal of Urban Health. 2006; 83(7):98–112.
- Johnston LG, Malekinejad M, Kendall C, Iuppa I, Rutherford G. Implementation challenges to using respondent-driven sampling methodology for HIV biological and behavioral surveillance: field experiences in international settings. AIDS and Behavior. 2008; 12(1):131-141.
- Malekinejad M, Johnston LG, Kendall C, Kerr L, Rifkin M, Rutherford G. Using respondent-driven sampling methodology for HIV biological and behavioral surveillance in international settings: a systematic review. AIDS and Behavior. 2008; 12(1):105-130.
- Ministère de la Santé Publique du Cameroun. Lignes Directrices Nationales du dépistage du VIH. 2001. Yaoundé.
- Merrigan M, Azeez A, Afolabi B et al. HIV prevalence and risk behaviours among men having sex with men in Nigeria. Sex Transm Infect. 2011;87:65-70.
- Ministry of Health. Integrated Behavioral and Biological Surveillance Survey among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) in Agadir and Marrakech. 2011. Morocco.
- Institut National de la Statistique (INS) et ICF International. Enquete Demographique et de Santé et à Indicateurs Multiple du Cameroun (EDS-MICS). 2011. Calverton, Maryland, USA.
- Gueboguo C. SIDA et homosexualité(s) en Afrique : Analyse des communications de prévention. 2009. Paris, L’Harmattan, coll. « Etudes Africaines ».
- ONUSIDA. Estimation VIH et Sida. http://search2.unaids.org/custom/search.asp. Accédé le 02 aout 2011.
- Programme National de Lutte contre le SIDA. Plan National Stratégique du VIH-SIDA. 2011.Togo.
- Kassegne S, Vu L, Koumagnanou K, Koevie-Koudam NA. A profile of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Lome and Aneho cities, Togo: Challenges and opportunities for programming. 2012. Poster, IAC.