PREVALENCE OF HIV RISKY BEHAVIORS AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN IN ALBANIA
Roland Bani*, Arian Boci and Rezarta Sheshaj
ABSTRACT
Background: In Albania, Men who have sex with men (MSM) remain a hidden and stigmatized population While most HIV cases are assumed to be acquired heterosexually, a 3-to-1 ratio of male to female diagnoses indicates that there may be substantial under-reporting of HIV infections acquired through sex between men. This article presents the findings from the HIV Biological Behavioral Surveillance Surveys (IBBS) conducted among MSM in Albania. Aim: The study aimed to determine the extent and types of risk behaviors, and HIV prevalence among MSM population. Methods: This survey used respondent driven sampling methodology (RDS) to recruit 554 in three cities. All participants were screened for eligibility, completed informed consent, and underwent a face to face interview. Results: Most MSM have multiple sex partners or concurrent relationships with different partner types including “regular”, “casual”, and “commercial” partners. Consistent condom use with different partners varied from the lowest (38%) with “regular” partners, 48% with “casual”, and 57% with “commercial” partners. Conclusions: The combination of HIV related risk factors among MSM population makes it imperative that this group be targeted as part of any HIV prevention strategy, and there is a need to use innovative approaches to increase access of MSM to HIV prevention and testing services.
Keywords: HIV, Albania, sexual behavior, Men who have sex with men, respondent-driven sampling.
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