Abstract

Psychosocial determinants of condom use among MSM in Togo

K. Koumagnanou¹, Y. Montcho¹, S. Kassegne², H. Astatke³, Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

¹Population Services International/Togo, Research, Monitoring & Evaluation, Lome, Togo, ²Population Services International, Research & Metrics, Cotonou, Benin, ³Population Services International, Research & Metrics, Washington, United States

Background: The HIV prevalence among MSM in Togo is estimated to be higher than 30%. An exploratory study conducted in 2006 indicated that in Togo, MSM have their first sexual experience with a man at an early age: the average age of first sex with a man was 17.6 years. Sixty percent of the respondents used condoms at last sex while 21% percent used condoms consistently. The purpose of this study was to identify psychosocial determinants of condom use.
Method: A theory-based participatory qualitative study was conducted among MSM ages 18 and over. A total of 33 participants were recruited through social net work groups. MSM who self-identified as an active, passive and/or bisexual partner were interviewed by other MSM. Data were analyzed with participation from the MSM who conducted the interviews.
Results: The data suggested a number of important ability and motivation related psychosocial determinants of condom use. Among these were attitudes about using condoms, perceived risk for being infected by HIV, peer social support for condom use and perceived confidence in ones ability to use condoms.
Conclusions: The findings suggest a need to develop communication messages that go beyond addressing HIV/AIDS risk perception and aim to influence MSM specific psychosocial determinants of condom use.