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HIV in Indian MSM: Reasons for a concentrated epidemic & strategies for prevention
Beena Thomas1, Matthew J Mimiaga2, Senthil Kumar1, Soumya Swaminathan1, Steven A Safren3, Kenneth H Mayer4
1 National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (ICMR), India
2 Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry; Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
3 Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
4 The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health; Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA, USA
Correspondence Address:
Beena Thomas
Scientist B, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, No.1 Satyamoorthy Road, Chetpet, Chennai 600 031
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0971-5916.92637
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Men who have sex with men (MSM) in India are disproportionately likely to be HIV-infected, and face distinct psychosocial challenges. Understanding the unique socio-cultural issues of MSM in India and how they relate to HIV risk could maximize the utility of future prevention efforts. This review discusses: (i) the importance of addressing co-occurring mental health issues, such as depression, which may interfere with MSM's ability to benefit from traditional risk reduction counselling, (ii) reducing HIV-related stigma among health providers, policymakers and the lay public, and (iii) the role for non-governmental organizations that work with the community to play in providing culturally relevant HIV prevention programmes for MSM. |
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