High prevalence of stigma related abuse among a sample of men who have sex with men in Tanzania: Implications for HIV prevention
Abstract
Background. In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of stigma-related abuse and violence among men who have sex with men (MSM) and its potential impact on the HIV/AIDS epidemic is unknown. This study estimated the prevalence and source of violence and abuse among a sample of MSM in Tanzania and characterized the association between levels of violence and sexual and mental health variables. Methods. Data were taken from a larger study on the “Assessment of social factors, sexual activity and HIV risk behavior in a sample of 200 gay/bisexual men in Tanzania”. Frequency tabulations, bivariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to describe the prevalence and source of abuse and to determine the association between levels of violence and sexual demographics, as well as mental health variables. Results. The majority of the MSM sample for this study was young with a median age of 23 years old, somewhat educated with the majority having attained secondary school (80%) and mostly employed (60%). Out of physical, verbal, moral and sexual abuses, verbal and moral abuses were the most predominant types of abuse among the sample. Sources of abuse were mostly from people in the street, neighbors and family members. There was also a high prevalence of abuse from partners. Participants in the high violence level group had a significantly greater number of sexual partners (M= 11.58, SD = 14.84), depression scores (M= 17.36; SD = 6.18) and internalized homonegativity scores ((M= 26.62, SD = 8.79). Participants with low levels of violence were more likely to be HIV negative and to self-identify as homosexual. Conclusion. There is a need for an increased awareness of violence and abuse faced by MSM in Tanzania, as well as effective programs to specifically target the issue of violence among MSM and its implication for mental health and hence, for risky sexual behaviors and HIV transmission.
Subject Area
GLBT Studies|Public health
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Alexandra Marie, "High prevalence of stigma related abuse among a sample of men who have sex with men in Tanzania: Implications for HIV prevention" (2013). Texas Medical Center Dissertations (via ProQuest). AAI1552452.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dissertations/AAI1552452