In most societies, AIDs education is aimed at heterosexual. None of the HIV/AIDs educational teaching aids specifically looks to educate MSMs. These have a tendency to skirt over the “unnatural forms” of intercourse like oral or anal sex.There have also been myths and misconceptions about the MSMs community about the deadly disease thus has been spreading at alarming rate as compared to the general population some among the myths included:-

1. “for a healthy, just and economically
empowered society”

2. BY FRED ABAYO

3. INTRODUCTION
 What is HIV/AIDs? People have in the past their own
way of describing HIV/AIDs in different communities
some among them “Chira” in luo, shameless disease
and “did you do it” among the MSM community all in
all we all know that HIV/AIDs is basically asexually
transmitted disease which we do not necessarily get
through sexual intercourse but can also acquire the
virus through other means like sharering of sharp
objects, accidents, blood transfusions and even having
multiple un trusted partners. Due to stigma attached
to homosexuality it has been hard to study the spread
of disease by intercourse between men, it’s even
harder to pin down the number of MSMs. MSMs can
be gay, bisexuals or even straight men.

4.  The theme for world aids day 2011 – 2015 is “GETTING
TO ZERO” meaning zero new infections, zero
discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths. To
provide this we need to have proper facilities,
treatment and services to the high risk HIV group like
intravenous drug users, sex workers and perhaps the
most taboo of them all men who have sex with men.
Task like this is more troublesome in asexually
conservative countries like India because of stigma
attached to sex in general and homosexuality in
particular.

5.  In most societies, AIDs education is aimed at heterosexual.
None of the HIV/AIDs educational teaching aids
specifically looks to educate MSMs. These have a tendency
to skirt over the “unnatural forms” of intercourse like oral
or anal sex.There have also been myths and
misconceptions about the MSMs community about the
deadly disease thus has been spreading at alarming rate as
compared to the general population some among the
myths included:-

6.  1). HIV/AIDs virus cannot be transmitted through anal sex
as the virus is not stored in the men’s sperms.
 2). One cannot contract the HIV virus through oral sex.
 3). Men are strong and cannot be infected by fellow men as
oppose to the opposite sexes.
 4). There is no direct exchange of fluids among two same
sex partners hence one cannot contract the HIV virus.
 5). HIV/AIDs was a punishment from God for unfaithful
women in the society and not men.
 6). HIV only infects people in the urban setups and not in
rural.
 7). The more one has unprotected sex the more ones
immune system becomes strong and can’t get infections.
 8). HIV virus can be dissolved when one takes antiviral
drugs for a longer period time.

7. BACKGROUND
 MSMS (Men who sleep with men) is a community that
has several categories among it we have gays,
bisexuals, transgender and heterosexual these group
tend to hide a lot as it is believed by many that their
sexual practice is unique and cannot be discussed in
public. it is on this that they end up not getting
treatment at all or get treatment under pretence thus
their health issue not well addressed. Most of them are
in the closet or may not want to be identified as same.
As they say set a thief to cat a thief for one to reach
these communities one has to be very sure or linked to
them through a person who is sure with the linkages.

8. Efforts of reaching MSMs
 There are several ways in which I reach to the MSMs
and more so the ones in the closet or village among
them I use peer to peer interventions whereby I use:-
 a) Peer educators to reach their fellow MSM peers
through small groups interventions sessions, this
allows them to interact with each other and even share
their personal health experiences and how best they
can improve on same.

9. b) use of social network platforms i.e. twitter, word
press (blogs), website and face book- these have been of
good use since one interacts with his peers (MSMs)
directly most MSMs prefer these methods as they tend
to open up very fast they also feel safe as most of them
have to chat before meeting you in person this have been
successful especially when it comes to linkages to health
care facilities and service providers to MSMs who are in
new towns for duty or visits.

10. c) One on one sessions /Snow balling has also been
put into practice since MSMs can always link you to
their fellow friends and the line goes on and on this has
been successful since one is sure of reaching the
intended target group unlike the social network whereby
one can fake his sexual orientations.

11. d) Health talk forums targeting the ISPs have also
been of good use to us since the group comprise of
MSMs community too we have taken advantage of such
forums to reach out with information to the MSMs thus
channeling it down to their fellow peers who may not be
present at the conferences

12. e) IEC materials have been of good use to us
through different organization and working with
MSM community this helps to pass information
to both the already out MSMs and the ones in
the closet. We have gone to narrow it down from
the health care providers whom we frequently
visit and sensitize on same we then leave our IEC
materials with contacts which they distribute to
general population and those who feel/know
they fall under the MSMs category do follow-ups
by calling us to find out more information about
their health, security (legal rights), and even the
organizations implementing same.

13. f) Media houses have also played a role in reaching out
the MSMs through few MSMs who have boldly come out
to declare their sexual orientations this we have seen on
various media houses holding one on one sessions with
same though they do not directly handle or target the
MSMs community per say but at least through their
interviews many MSMs in the closet can be reached with
information (creating awareness).

14. Programme description and
methodologies.
1. Peer education/one on one sessions
 Peer educators are free with their fellow peers and can
discuss freely making it easy for those in the closet to
come out and the infected to be enrolled for treatment
and care and acquire different measures like correct
and consistent condoms use among others.

15. 2. Medical practitioners
 Medical practitioners have to counsel, test and give the
right measures to be taken in order to control new and
re- infection among MSMs, this has been achieved by
Taking tests and proper recommendations after the
tests.

16. 3. Health talk forums
 Health talk forums targeting the ISPs should also be of
good use to since the group may comprise of MSM
community too this be taken advantage of to reach out
with information to the MSMs thus channeling it
down to their fellow peers who may not be present at
the conferences.

17. 4. IEC materials use
 This will be of good use to us through different
organization and working with MSM community this
will helps to pass information to both the already out
MSMs and the MSMs in the closet. We have gone to
narrow it down from the health care providers whom
we will frequently visit and sensitize on same MSMs
issues. we will constantly leave our IEC materials with
contacts which they (health care providers) will be
distributing to general population and more so
targeting the MSMs category with intentions to do
follow-ups by calling us to inquire more information
about their health, security (legal rights), and even the
organizations implementing same.

18. 5. Stake holder’s engagement
This is very important will involve most of the local
implementing partners and even government bodies to
enhance mutual co relationship with both government
and none government bodies for the better work relation
with the MSMs program implementation this is
perceived to

19. Objectives
 To create awareness among MSMs on HIV/AIDS to
avoid new or re-infection among themselves.
 To build linkages and referral networks among MSMs
and Health service providers.
 To reduce stigma and discrimination among the MSM
in the community and the service providers.
 To assist MSMS come out and get health- care services
like any other citizen.
 To help MSMs come up with strong network systems
to help fight for their legal rights in terms of health.
 To network in terms of service provides among MSMs
community this could range from the legal
perspective, advocacy and health.

20. Lessons learnt
 Criminalization of Gayism continues to negatively affect
my work in creating a conducive environment for MSMs to
engage in safer sex.
 Referral networks among MSMs and health service
providers could facilitate quick response to health as a
fundamental human right.
 It’s important to advocate for correct and consistent
condom use among any sexual active partners regardless of
their sexual orientation or status.
 Incorporate MSMs in the community/county activities so
that they could also give their views on their sexual
orientation before being criminalized by law.
 MSM should also be represented in stake holders meetings
and be part of decisions makes in such meetings.

21. Fred Abayo
Field Officer
Keeping Alive Societies' Hope
Email :fabayo@yahoo.com
fabayo@yahoo.com's profile photo
Blog post
:kashtalesofmsmsinkisumu
Website: www.kash.or.ke