HIV Education, Empathy, and Empowerment (HIVE 3 ): A Peer Support Intervention for Reducing Intersectional Stigma as a Barrier to HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ghana

Gamji M’Rabiu Abubakari, Francis Owusu-Dampare, Adedotun Ogunbajo, Joseph Gyasi, Michael Adu, Patrick Appiah, Kwasi Torpey, Laura Nyblade and LaRon E. Nelson
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Gamji M’Rabiu Abubakari: Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
Francis Owusu-Dampare: Priorities on Rights and Sexual Health, Accra 00233, Ghana
Adedotun Ogunbajo: Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Joseph Gyasi: School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06477, USA
Michael Adu: Youth Alliance for Health & Human Rights, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Patrick Appiah: Youth Alliance for Health & Human Rights, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
Kwasi Torpey: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra 00233, Ghana
Laura Nyblade: Global Health Division, International Development Group Research Triangle Institute International, New York, NY 10001, USA
LaRon E. Nelson: Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-14

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: HIV testing; peer communication support; HIV testing communication; men who have sex with men; community-based research; mobile-based intervention; Africa; ADAPT-ITT model; dennis peer support model; intersectional stigma (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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