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Abstract
Developing community based sexual health agencies to promote safer sex practices and sense of sexual responsibility amongst low income networks of MSM in South Asia - a replicable model of sexual health promotion
A Jafar1, S Ahmed2
1Naz Foundation International Regional Liaison Office, Lucknow, India; 2Bandhu Social Welfare Society, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Issue
It is understood that safer sex practices amongst men who have sex with other men(MSMs) can only be encouraged and maintained if such practices become a normative behaviour amongst themselves and with their sexual partners. To achieve this goal, it therefore requires such safer sex practices to be adopted as a shared community response. However, this pre-supposes that such a community exists amongst MSMs acting as a unifying and cohesive force. This is not a valid assumption in South Asia. In many urban centres no such community exists.
However, emergent sexual/social networks in a variety of locations do exist, and these can be accessed through a range of skill building programmes to assist in developing an MSM CBO
Description
The components of this intervention model that are used towards developing a sense of community affiliation, of mobilising low income MSM networks and networking of networks, creating frameworks in which safer sex and STI treatment can be promoted as normative "community" behaviours and sustained are-
i. Establishing an initial community network.
ii. Assisting these MSM individuals in implementing and managing a sexual health service for MSMs through:
a. Field services (Outreach/networking)
b. Centre based activities which includes
Drop-in service, social meetings, sexual health edu. classes, personal skills development classes with (depending on the manpower and funds) employment and accommodation networks, advocacy, PLHA support.
c. Clinic
Lessons Learnt
This model has been quite successfully implemented in South Asia in 16 different cities across South Asia with technical assistance being provided by NFI.
Recommendations
More programmes to be developed.The Regional Office will implement 30 more new programmes in the next four years in the region. It has been observed that there has been a significant increases in safer sex practices where such community-based services are being provided
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
MoPeD3539
Suggested Citation
" A Jafar , , et al.
Developing community based sexual health agencies to promote safer sex practices and sense of sexual responsibility amongst low income networks of MSM in South Asia - a replicable model of sexual health promotion
.
Poster Exhibition:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
MoPeD3539"
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