HIV Education, Empathy, and Empowerment (Hive3)

A Peer Support Intervention for Reducing Intersectional Stigma as a Barrier to HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ghana

Bibliographic Data

ID15510900
AuthorsGamji Rabiu Abu-Ba’are (0000-0002-1718-0381, Yale University, corresponding author), Gamji M’Rabiu Abubakari (Yale University), Francis Owusu-Dampare (Ghana Health Service), Adedotun Ogunbajo (0000-0002-3074-6431, Harvard University), Joseph Gyasi (Yale University), Michael Adu (Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine), Patrick Appiah (0000-0001-5657-479X, Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine), Kwasi Torpey (0000-0003-1628-2922, University of Ghana), Laura Nyblade (0000-0001-8067-4192, RTI International), Laron E Nelson (0000-0002-2630-602X, St. Michael's Hospital)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue24
Pages13103-13103
Publication date2021-12-12
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph182413103
PMID34948712
OpenAlexW4200263321
LanguageEN
Citations received17
References cited38

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

Empowerment · Environmental health · Family medicine · Health care · Health education · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Men who have sex with men · Peer education · Peer support · Political science · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Public health · Reproductive health · Social stigma · Social support · Stigma (botany · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Social Psychology

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