HIV vulnerability and HIV prevention needs among men who have sex with men in Tanzania

All over the world, sex between men has been associated with increased risk for HIV transmission. In Africa, however, the impact of the HIV epidemic on men who have sex with men (MSM) has not been well studied. In Tanzania, no previous study has been cond ucted. MSM have also not been a prominent target group in prevention programs. Although Tanzanian law criminalizes sex between men, the country's multisecoral strategic framework on HIV has identified MSM as a vulnerable group and advised increased effort s to develop services, interventions and studies. Similar calls have been voiced by the Norwegian government in a recent position paper on HIV and development. The proposed study will explore identities, sexualities and HIV-related vulnerabilities among MSM in Dar es Salaam. It will also examine the strategies that MSM may already be applying to protect themselves and others from HIV infection. Based on this, it will attempt to develop ideas about potentially successful HIV prevention interventions. The study will apply a combination of qualitative methods: repeated exploratory qualitative interviews, key informant interviews, and group discussions. It will be carried out as part of a PhD project. The project will also develop a detailed protocol for a subsequent questionnaire survey among MSM in Tanzania. Separate funding will be sought for this study, which is expected to be implemented at a later point in time. The PhD candidate is Kåre Moen (MD, MPH) who has worked in Tanzania since 1992 (either f ull or part time). He speaks Swahili. His supervisory team will consist of Anne-Lise Middelthon (PhD) and Peter Aggleton (PhD). He will be provided additional guidance through periods as visiting scholar at the University of London. In Tanzania, the main partner will be the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. Two Tanzanian NGOs will also be project partners.