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. 2023 Jan-Dec:22:23259582231209649.
doi: 10.1177/23259582231209649.

Awareness and Willingness to use Condoms and Preexposure Prophylaxis among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Cisgendered Men who Have sex with men in Slum Communities in Ghana. BSGH-004

Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba'are  1   2   3   4 , Osman Wumpini Shamrock  1   2 , Amos Apreku  5 , George Rudolph Kofi Agbemedu  6 , Edem Yaw Zigah  6 , Oliver C Ezechi  7 , LaRon E Nelson  3   8 , Kwasi Torpey  5
Affiliations

Awareness and Willingness to use Condoms and Preexposure Prophylaxis among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Cisgendered Men who Have sex with men in Slum Communities in Ghana. BSGH-004

Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba'are et al. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care. 2023 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Research has begun to examine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies within the Ghanaian context. Still, little is known about specific populations such as gay, bisexual, and other cisgender men who have sex with men (GBMSM) living in slum communities. We studied HIV prevention strategies such as condoms and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in slum communities and the awareness and willingness to use these choices among GBMSM. This qualitative study examines HIV prevention strategies, specifically examining PrEP and condom use behaviors among GBMSM in Ghana. Methods: We conducted in-depth face-to-face interviews among 12 GBMSM from slums in Accra and Kumasi cities in Ghana. Data were analyzed through a summative content analysis with multiple reviewers to develop codes. Data were collected from participants in January 2022. Results: We found the fear and perceived risk of infection were motivators for consistent condom use, especially during anal sex. GBMSM living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy were more inclined to use condoms. We found motivations for using PrEP were influenced by the type of sexual activity and a history of negative HIV status. Also, the barriers to PrEP for GBMSM included limited access to healthcare facilities and the distance to these facilities. Conclusions: To improve condom and PrEP access and uptake, we recommend addressing structural barriers by increasing the number of health facilities and implementing targeted interventions to address the lack of information on HIV awareness and prevention. Involving peer educators may also effectively promote HIV prevention strategies, especially in communities with limited access to healthcare such as slums. Overcoming these access constraints could significantly enhance awareness and prevention of HIV, leading to improved health outcomes for GBMSM living in slum communities.

Keywords: HIV; PrEP; bisexual; condom; gay.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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