Barriers and Enablers to Uptake of HIV Prevention Services among Men Who-Have-Sex with Men (MSMs) in the Accra Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Introduction: Populations considered as having a high risk to HIV infection are known as key populations (KPs). There has been substantial funding for HIV programmes for Men who-have-sex with Men (MSM), however, the prevalence of MSM in Ghana increased from 17.1% in 2011 to 18% in 2017 which is higher than the HIV prevalence among the general population which is 1.67%. This is also coupled with low uptake of HIV prevention services. It is therefore important to explore what could be enabling and hindering their uptake of available HIV prevention services to guide future policies and plans targeting them. Objective: To explore predisposing factors that influence uptake of HIV prevention services among MSM, to examine enabling factors that influence uptake of HIV prevention services among MSM and identify need factors that influence uptake of HIV prevention services among MSM in the Accra Metropolitan Area. Methods: The study adopted an exploratory qualitative research approach and study population consisted of 15 MSM peer educators directly involved in HIV prevention services and a management staff of Centre for Popular Education and Human Rights Ghana. Results: The study showed the importance of peer educators in supporting uptake of HIV prevention services in the community. However, some factors such as low knowledge about prevention services, unfriendly legal environment and negative attitudes of community members affected the uptake of HIV prevention services among MSM. Conclusion: The study results identified some barriers to uptake of HIV prevention services by MSM as low level of education of MSM, income levels of MSM and negative attitudes of health workers. Some enablers included the presence of peer educators, and formation of support groups. It is important that these factors identified are urgently addressed to improve uptake of HIV prevention services among MSM. Keywords: HIV, testing, uptake, prevention, peer educators, barriers, enablers, MSM, Accra