Field Report
Implementation and effects of sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention workshop for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kilifi county, Kenya
2022 Volume 37 Issue 3 Pages 101-112
Details
2022 Volume 37 Issue 3 Pages 101-112
It is known that men who have sex with men (MSM) are highly vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). However, social stigma withholds them from necessary health services. Therefore, a workshop was designed to promote condom use and prevent HIV and other STIs among MSM.
The workshop was developed based on the Health Belief Model, and covering topics such as anal intercourse and common practice among MSM. Furthermore, MSM self-support group members took a role of facilitators.
A total of 13 workshops were conducted from November 2013 to February 2014 in Kilifi County, Kenya. The venue was a public hospital where the MSM self-support group usually held activities. The workshops would last 2 hours and were completed in one session. A total of 170 MSM were recruited using a snowball sampling method. Participants voluntarily answered the survey before and after the workshop.
Data from 139 individuals was analyzed, with the mean age of 26.8 years (standard deviation ± 6.69), where 33 participants identified as gay, 90 as bi-sexual, 15 as others and 1 not responded. Significant positive changes observed in the mean scores of participants regarding self-esteems (p＝0.0123), safer sex intention (p＝0.0006), and knowledge on safer sex (p＝0.0024). Some participants also acknowledged that the workshop helped them gain knowledge and was beneficial to the MSM community.
The workshop successfully recruited 170 MSM and improved self-efficacy, attitude, and knowledge of the participants. This intervention implied several tips for successful MSM recruitment were employed a follows:; 1) offering a secure environment for MSM 2) involving peer facilitators, 3) using a snowball sampling method, 4) presenting several choices of workshop dates, and 5) explaining safe anal intercourse and offering content unique to MSM. This framework can be applicable to interventions involving marginalized populations in other regions.
