Men Having Sex With Men

PROGRAM GOAL (MSM)

Originally the identification of specific groups and their unique profile and specialized needs, remained as an important gap in the design of prevention interventions for key populations like men who have sex with men in the country as there are no specific targeted interventions. The aims of the Prevention Programmes for Men having sex with Men are Zero new HIV infection, zero AIDS related deaths and zero discrimination among target population by 2030

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

  1. To increase the percentage of MSM reached with HIV prevention programs – individual and/or smaller group level interventions
  2. To increase the percentage of MSM that have received an HIV test during the reporting period and know their results, and linked with care services
  3. To reduce the incidence of HIV transmission among men having sex with men (covered under the prevention programs for MSM and TG and their client’s modules)
  4. To increase access to health care services for HIV prevention

PROGRAM INPUT

  • Collaboration with district level stakeholders such as DAC, who provides technical support and transport where need be; DHMTs through clinics who avail nurses during outreaches for provision of TB/STI screening.
  • Referrals for treatment and care services such as ART initiation, PrEP initiation, and accompanied linkages.
  • Mobilisation through snowball and social media.
  • Resource Mobilisation at district level and national level.
  • Distribution of Condoms and IEC Materials.
  • Quarterly data verification visits.

PROGRAM GOVERNANCE

  • Program Management
  • Geographical coverage for the program is Greater Boteti, Greater Francistown, Greater Maun, Tutume and Palapye. However, outreaches were also conducted to other areas such as the farms.
  • Target audience is MSM and TG, and they are targeted since they are at increased risk of HIV, and they often have legal and social issues related to their behaviours that increase their vulnerability to HIV.
  • Peer support mechanisms for better access to gender-based violence interventions including psychosocial and legal support because of high levels of partner violence reported by men who have sex with men.
  • Support for training of health workers to address negative attitudes and stigma and discrimination.
  • Support the capacity development and human resource needs.

FOUNDATIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Mentoring and supportive supervision.
  • Implementation of Minimum service package.
  • Mobilisation through snowball, social media and referrals from other stakeholders.
  • Engagement of Peer Educators who are MSM themselves.
  • Peer education (outreach services, BCIC, group and individual support),
  • Condom demonstration and distribution (including with lubricants)
  • Effective referral to TB, sexual and reproductive health, HIV treatment, care and support.
  • Community empowerment and Community led services.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of STIs and other sexual and reproductive health services.
  • Addressing stigma, discrimination and violence against Men who have sex with men.
  • Programme management and Organisational Capacity Building.

PROGRAM OUTPUTS

  • Percentage of MSM reached with HIV prevention programs – individual and/or smaller group level interventions.
  • Percentage of MSM that have received an HIV test during the reporting period and know their results, and linked with care services.
  • Percentage of MSM using PrEP in priority men who have sex with men PrEP populations.

OUTCOMES

  • Reduced new HIV infections among MSM/TG.
  • Percentage of men reporting the use of a condom the last time they had anal sex with a male partner.