The number of newly-diagnosed AIDS cases among homosexual men in Uganda is continuing to increase. While substantial amounts of data have been gathered on HIV related behaviours and infection rates in “straight” by different researchers and NGOs, less is known about “rates and practices” especially among homosexual teenagers and young adults. There are a considerable number of youths and adults who continue to engage in unprotected anal and virginal receptive intercourse with different partners every month.
Unprotected anal and Virginal sex is the highest risk behaviour for HIV transmission among gay youths and adults. In many societies of Uganda, MSM also have sex with women. Bisexual men represent an important “bridge” group between a sub-population at high risk for infection and the general population at lower risk for infection. Investigation of sexual risk behaviour of MSM is of great importance in order to prevent HIV transmission increase in Uganda.
Approximately 7% of the younger men in schools and 18% of the men over 22 years of age are already infected with HIV. There for aggressive HIV risk reduction programs to homosexuals are needed in schools and existing networks in the gay community.
MSM in Uganda fear to be identified so they end up also having sex with women to hide their sexuality to society and community members. Through the process of cross sexual intercourse with men and women, HIV infection between sub-population and general population is taking place because there is no use of condoms to all partners. Gay youth who engage in anal sexual intercourse tend not to use condoms since they are not well sensitized on how to use condoms in anal sex and gay health information. So transmission of HIV is bridged between people practicing anal and virginal sex.
Conclusion: A large part of MSM in Uganda have sex both with male and female partners thus promoting the risk of HIV bridging between men who have sex with men (MSM) and the general Population.
How infections can be prevented?
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This is a very interesting post, Nicholas! It's a real challenge to get information to young people about sexual diversity.
ReplyDeleteIn a program I used to coordinate for youth aged 12 to 16, we tried really hard to ensure that the information was relevant for everyone. We mainly focused on social issues surrounding people's relationships and sexual practices, we'd talk about "partners" instead of boy/girlfriends, and we'd make sure that some of our role plays etc included same-sex couples. I suspect there's still more that needs to be done to make sex ed inclusive.
What would be in your "ideal" sexuality education program?
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ReplyDeleteHello Lai,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and sorry for delay reply have been working on so many thing down here.
My/our ideal sexuality education program will be on gay and Lesbian youths because they have alot of things they need to learn regarding their sexuality and health. This is very important especially for my fellow gay and Lesbian youths in schools and communities here in Uganda. Lia whats you idea on this?
This is an eye opening and it has coused me to actually go and find out what's the situation in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteAnd I must say, Identical. Couple of things play a role in this,
. Gay and Lesbian issues are a not to touch topics both for our communities and the government.
. There is no, and I mean no means of prevention going around in this regard, and I was supprised that no NGO's is funded to start pushing for the awareness and prevention in the Gay, lesbian community.
. Somehow the morality of the people is to let the gay, lesbian community die in their sins.
. Apparently no one wants to say anything, let alone do anything as they too will be rejected by the communities.
The question then is? What are we as individuals going to do? Do we blend in and let our brothers and sisters die or do we then risk being cast away in fughting for them to live?
Lindile,
ReplyDeletethanks for your concern to our gay and Lesbian brothers and sisters who die because of the epidemic. well i must say we cant leave them die, they have rights to live health lives. what our organisation is based on now is gay and Lesbian health and senstization on HIV/AIDS in gay and lesbian minority people especially youths in Uganda. Its not an easy task here due to the stituation we are in now but atleast we shall try to work with in different communitities and we hope with time we shall reach our goals to see gay and Lesbian youth control the spread of HIV/AIDS with in gay/lesbian communities.
We have to look for some organisation which can give in a hand to make senstisation work out in Uganda.
Lindile, what are the strategies you have put in place to engage in the fight against HIV/AIDS in gay and Lesbian youths in your country or else where?