Abstract ID: 19010

Author: Don Liriope

Title: Issues Affecting HIV Positive Men who have sex with other Men (MSM) in Papua New Guinea

Subject Area/Topic: Stigma and Discrimination

This abstract is based on findings from Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with nine HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM) held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in November 2007.

The FGD format was developed by a small team of Asia Pacific Network of PLHIV (APN+) MSM Working Group members and carried with positive MSM in four Asian countries, plus PNG in the Pacific.

FGD five priorities areas are:

• Health and Health Care Issues
• Social Issues
• Economic Issues
• Sex
• Disclosure to partners and potential partners

PNG Results:

• >Health and Health Care Area;
  Most of the participants still experience personal stigma and discrimination. One responded,” The virus hasn’t changed my life but has made me more mature.” From the nine participants five are on treatment while the other four are not. Confidentiality is maintained at Port Moresby General Hospital. Access to information on ARV and HIV and access to ARV treatment are good but others not receiving ARV.
• Social Issues;
  Disclosure of status is an individual decision one has to make that is best for him/her as it does not guarantee acceptance. It is one thing to be open with family members, friends, peers and colleagues and another in the public focus. Stigma and discrimination is still highly probable and those individuals who have disclosed their status can still be exposed to discrimination including violence. There is a small and slow change in acceptance of positive MSM within families and familiar surroundings.
• Economic Issues;
  One was affected from work while rests were not. All has financial problem but do a get little from their voluntary work.
• Sex;
  All aware of the theory and knowledge on what safer sex is. Practicing is the problem due to situations beyond their limit. All expressed that they love sex and they were in everything from head to toe. Negotiation is hard at times.
• Disclosure to partners and potential partners of HIV+ status;
  All were having difficulty telling partners and potential sexual partners as they feel they might be rejected.