Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Ghana remain at heightened risk of HIV infection, and face challenges in accessing HIV prevention and care services. Previous research in Ghana shows that MSM face intersectional stigma across ecological levels (family, peers, healthcare settings, and community level) and the criminalization of same-gender sexual behaviors in the country. To protect their wellbeing from exposure to stigma, many MSM avoid interactions with healthcare systems and services, which inadvertently inhibits their opportunities for early detection and treatment of HIV. Consequently, MSM in Ghana carry a disproportionate burden of HIV prevalence (18%) compared to the general population (2%), highlighting the need for culturally relevant processes in HIV/STI prevention, and care communication to optimize sexual health and wellness among MSM in Ghana. To this effect, we collaborated with community partners to use the Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical Experts, Training, Testing (ADAPT-ITT) model to modify a theory-driven smartphone-based peer support intervention to enhance its focus on intersectional stigma reduction, and improve HIV health-seeking behaviors among MSM, including HIV testing and linkage to care. We used the Dennis Peer Support Model to develop the peer support components (emotional, informational, and appraisal support) to increase peer social support, decrease social isolation, and minimize intersectional stigma effects on HIV-related healthcare-seeking behaviors. This paper shows the preliminary acceptability and effectiveness of employing culturally relevant techniques and communication strategies to provide secure peer support to improve HIV prevention and care among key populations in highly stigmatized environments.
Funder
National Institute of Nursing Research
Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cited by
17 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献
1. "I told myself, be bold and go and test": Motivators and barriers to HIV testing among gay, bisexual, and other cis-gender men who have sex with men in Ghana ‒ West Africa;PLOS Global Public Health;2024-01-11
2. A critical review and analysis of the context, current burden, and application of policy to improve cancer equity in Ghana;International Journal for Equity in Health;2023-12-08
3. "We have our reasons": Exploring the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Ghana;2023-12-06
4. Intersectionality in nursing research: A scoping review;International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances;2023-12
5. Community stigma, victimization, and coping strategies among gays, bisexuals, and other cis-gender men who have sex with men in slum communities in Ghana. BSGH-003;2023-10-03