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[Preprint]. 2024 Mar 22:rs.3.rs-4087718.
doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4087718/v1.

"One pastor advised him to stop taking HIV medication": Promoters and barriers to HIV care among gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men living with HIV in Ghana

Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba'are  1 , Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong  2 , Prince Amu-Adu  3 , Edem Yaw Zigah  1 , Melissa Stockton  4 , Samuel Amuah  5 , Richard Panix Amoh-Otoo  5 , Laura Nyblade  6 , Kwasi Torpey  7 , LaRon E Nelson  8
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"One pastor advised him to stop taking HIV medication": Promoters and barriers to HIV care among gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men living with HIV in Ghana

Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba'are et al. Res Sq. .

Abstract

Introduction: Few studies examine Ghanaian gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience with HIV diagnoses and linkage to care. This article provides qualitative accounts of promoters and barriers to care among GBMSM living with HIV in Ghana.

Methods: We recruited and interviewed 10 GBMSM living with HIV in two Ghanaian cities. We transcribed the interviews, coded the data, and used thematic content analysis.

Results: We found that community and healthcare facility (HCF) level HIV and sexual stigma, confidentiality issues, alternative medicine, and substance use remain the key barriers to care. Other barriers include healthcare system issues such as long wait times and economic problems (e.g., health insurance and financial difficulties). Nonetheless, HCF-level factors such as positive experiences with providers, HIV counseling, and detailed medication information facilitate adherence to care among GBMSM.

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for interventions that address linkage to care issues, especially substance use, disinformation, and misinformation among GBMSM and other Ghanaian communities.

Keywords: GBMSM; Ghana; HIV care; HIV stigma; PLHIV; alternative medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this research.

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