Exploring HIV Risk among MSM in Kigali, Rwanda

The study was led by the National AIDS Control Commission (CNLS) of Rwanda, with technical assistance from MEASURE Evaluation. It presents findings from a behavioral surveillance study (BSS) of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kigali carried out in 2008-2009. The aim of this study was to describe the population of MSM in Kigali and explore the nature of sexual activity between MSM.

This study has uncovered a high degree of commercial and transactional sex among MSM in Kigali. Approximately 25% of respondents reported exchanging anal sex for either money or goods in the 12 months prior to survey, and 20% reported exchanging money or goods for anal sex in the 12 months prior to survey. However, sample size was too small for correlation/ multivariate analysis. We recommend that future quantitative studies are designed to maximize information on high-risk sexual encounters.qualitative research on the context of buying and selling sex, and importantly transactional sex, in this environment would help shape future HIV/ STI prevention interventions. (summary of findings on sex work taken from the author)