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Medical and psychosocial care and support of MSM in Senegal
Presented by Abdoulaye Wade, Senegal.
A.K. Diop1, N.S. Niang2, A.S. Wade3, K. Gueye1, M. Mbaye2
1STI/ AIDS Division – MOH - Senegal, STI Managment, Dakar, Senegal, 2Family Health International, Prevention & Communication, Dakar, Senegal, 3STI/ AIDS Division – MOH - Senegal, Direction, Dakar, Senegal
Background: Senegal has a very low and stable HIV/AIDS prevalence within the general population (0.7%, DHS 2005). Although male homosexuality is considered a marginal social phenomenon in Senegal, in particular by religion, but it is a reality. According to socio-anthropologic (2000) and biological studies (2003), MSM have less knowledge of STI/HIV/AIDS than the general population and a significantly greater HIV/AIDS prevalence (21%, 2003).
The objective of this work is to describe Senegal’s strategy to increase access for MSM to both medical and psychosocial care and support services across the country.
Methods: Starting in 2003, the Ministry of Health recognized the need to reinforce access to care and support for all MSM through the provision of prevention and medical psychosocial care services by:
a) setting up a reference center in Dakar,
b) training peer leaders, and
c) creating a national network of committed service providers.
Results: Access to medical care has increased from one reference center in Dakar in 2003 to 19 sites located in 10 out of the 11 regions of the country in 2007. During this period, the service providers received 1,590 MSM (75% <25 years of age) in consultation, among which 191 STI urethral discharge (60%), genital/anal wart, anal discharge, etc. cases were diagnosed and cured, and 158 MSM living with HIV were identified and referred for care. In the same period, 2,432 MSM benefited from STI and HIV/AIDS prevention activities conducted by peer leaders.
Conclusions: Networking of service providers is the first step for improvement of MSM access to STI and HIV/AIDS prevention and care services and will facilitate progressive integration of services targeting this group into the whole national health system.
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