Qualitative description of interpersonal HIV stigma and motivations for HIV testing among gays, bisexuals, and men who have sex with men in Ghana's slums-BSGH-005.

Despite significant progress in Ghana's HIV response, disparities in HIV prevalence persist among different populations. Gays, bisexuals, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the country remain vulnerable to HIV infection due to high levels of stigma and discrimination, limited access to healthcare services, and low HIV knowledge levels. While limited studies focus on HIV prevention and care in the Ghanaian GBMSM context, we did not find studies on GBMSM in slums. We, therefore, explored stigma and motivations of HIV testing among GBMSM in slums. In collaboration with our community partners, we recruited and conducted face-to-face interviews among 12 GBMSM from slums in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. Our multiple-reviewer summative content analysis identified the following: under HIV stigma, we identified two categories, avoidance of GBMSM living with HIV and fear of testing positive for HIV. Under motivations for HIV testing, we identified three categories; HIV vulnerability, knowing one's HIV status, and positive messaging about HIV. Our findings provide valuable insights into stigma and motivations for HIV testing among GBMSM in Ghanaian slums. They also highlight the importance of targeted HIV education interventions to empower GBMSM to take responsibility for their sexual health and address the unique challenges they face accessing HIV testing services.

Status-neutral community-based multilevel intervention to address intersectional stigma and discrimination, and increase HIV testing, PrEP, and ART uptake among YGBMSM in Ghanaian Slums: A clustered randomized control trial protocol.

Background: While GBMSM constitute less than 2% of Ghana's population, their HIV prevalence surpasses the national average by more than eightfold, emphasizing the critical need for targeted interventions to improve detection, care linkage, and reduce community transmission. This study seeks to increase HIV testing, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) uptake (HPART) among YGBMSM through the adaptation of an evidence-based intervention (LAFIYA). Methodology: We will employ the ADAPTT-IT framework to adapt LAFIYA and evaluate its feasibility and effectiveness in addressing intersectional stigma and increasing HPART uptake among YGBMSM residing in Ghanaian slums. In aim 1, we will hold focus groups (n=5) and interviews (n=20) among YGBMSM and two FGDs among GBMSM-led organizations. At the HCF level, we will hold 6 FGDs and interviews (n=20) among nurses. In AIM 2, we will randomly assign 6 healthcare facilities (HCFs) to receive the LAFIYA (n=3) or wait-list control (n=3). Friend groups (cluster) of YGBMSM (N=240) will be assigned to receive LAFIYA (n=120) or a wait-list control (n=120). We will collect 3-, 6-, and 9-months post-intervention data among YGBMSM(n=240) and HCWs(n=300) to measure HPART adherence (primary outcomes), ISD reduction, HIV and status-neutral knowledge (secondary outcomes), and intervention acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility (implementation outcomes). Conclusion: The intervention group will observe increased HPART adherence, reduced ISD, and enhanced HPART knowledge and efficacy relative to the wait-list control group. The findings will inform ISD reduction and HIV status-neutral implementation strategies - and place-based interventions that address access to HIV prevention and care among YGBMSM, slum and in different settings. Trail Registration: This study was registered on clinicalTrail.gov, with identifier number NCT06312514 on 03/14/2023. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06312514.

Community stigma, victimization, and coping strategies among gay, bisexual, and other cis-gender men who have sex with men in slum communities in Ghana. BSGH-003.

BACKGROUND: Gay, bisexual, and cis-gender men who have sex with men (GBMSM) face severe consequences, especially within stigmatized environments. However, very little is known about the experiences of GBMSM living in slums in SSA and Ghana. This study investigates the experiences of stigma, victimization, and coping strategies and proposes some interventional approaches for combating stigma facing GBMSM in slum communities. METHODS: We engaged GBMSM living in slums in two major Ghanaian cities. We used a time-location sampling and collected data through in-depth individual interviews. Two major themes emerged from the study: (1) insecurities and criminalization of GBMSM activity, and (2) GBMSM coping strategies. RESULTS: Findings show GBMSM experienced negative attitudes from the community due to their sexual behavior/orientation. GBMSM also developed coping strategies to avert negative experiences, such as hiding their identities/behavior, avoiding gender non-conforming men, and having relationships with persons outside their communities. CONCLUSION: We propose interventions such as HIV Education, Empathy, Empowerment, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy as possible measures to improve the experiences of GBMSM living in Ghanaian slum communities.

"For my safety and wellbeing, I always travel to seek health care in a distant facility"-the role of place and stigma in HIV testing decisions among GBMSM - BSGH 002.

Gays, bisexuals, and all other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are heavily impacted by HIV in Ghana compared to the general population. In addition to HIV and same-sex intercourse stigma, barriers such as reduced privacy, lower-income status and limited health care facilities (HCF) affect HIV testing decisions among GBMSM. We employed a phenomenological research design to understand the role of place and stigma in HIV testing among GBMSM in slums. GBMSM (n = 12) from slums in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana, were recruited and engaged in face-to-face interviews. We used a multiple reviewer summative content analysis to analyze and organize our key findings. The HIV testing options we identified include 1. Government HCF, 2. NGO and community outreach 3. Peer-educated services. Factors influencing GBMSM to test for HIV at HCF outside their areas included 1. The location of HCF 2. HIV and sexual stigma from slum areas 3. Positive HCW attitudes at distant HCF. 4. Negative Healthcare worker (HCW) attitudes towards GBMSM. These findings highlighted how stigma from slums and HCW influence HIV testing decisions and the need for place-based interventions to address stigma among HCW in slums to improve testing among GBMSM.