title: The Epidemiology of HIV and Prevention Needs of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
abstract: To determine HIV prevalence and associated risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. We conducted a cross-sectional RDS survey of MSM in Abidjan from October 2011 to February 2012. Eligibility criteria included age ≥ 18 years and having had oral or anal sex with another man in the last 12 months. Weighted data analysis was conducted with RDSAT and SAS. We enrolled 603 participants, of whom 601 (99.7%) completed the questionnaire and 581 (96.7%) consented to HIV testing. HIV population prevalence was estimated as 18.0% (95% CI: 13.0-23.1); 86.4% (95% CI: 75.1-94.9) of HIV-positive MSM were unaware of their serostatus. In multivariable analysis, adjusting for age, education, and income, HIV infection was associated with unprotected sex at last sex with a woman, more than two male anal sex partners in last 12 months, inconsistent condom use during anal sex with a man, self-perceived risk of HIV, history of forced sex, history of physical abuse due to MSM status, and not receiving last HIV test result prior to study. HIV prevalence among MSM in Abidjan is more than four times as high as that of general population men. MSM engage in high-risk sexual behavior and most HIV-positive MSM are unaware of their serostatus. Greater access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services targeted to MSM is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Division of Global HIV/AIDS, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Avi J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hakim
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aho
authors.affiliation: FHI 360, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: Gisele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Semde
authors.affiliation: Division of Global HIV/AIDS, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: Mamadou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diarrassouba
authors.affiliation: Division of Global HIV/AIDS, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: Konan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ehoussou
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bea
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vuylsteke
authors.affiliation: Division of Global HIV/AIDS, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Murrill
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and the Fight Against HIV, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: Marguerite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thiam
authors.affiliation: Division of Global HIV/AIDS, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: Therese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wingate
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D021841:Safe Sex; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult