them were aware of the risks associated with their behavior. One of the intriguing misconceptions reported by almost all of the participating MSM is that heterosexual sex is the only means of HIV transmission resulting low condom use among them (Ibid). In addition, the other major issues relating to MSM is the secrecy that often surrounds their sexuality. Almost all study participants stressed the importance of keeping their sexuality as a secret from their friends, family and community members at large. Therefore, having a girlfriend or to be in public relationship with women was mentioned by the participants as one method of concealing their sexual orientation towards men. Although they may not be interested in girls, majority of the participants have indicated that they also have girlfriends in order to be in line with the society’s expectation and to be free from social pressures. Similar to this, UNAIDS in 2005 has also reported that a large percentage of men having sex with men worldwide are also married and having sex with women as well (Ibid). Men having sex with men (with low condom use) who also have sexual relationships with women thus create a dense sexual network favorable to the spread of the virus. Condom Use and Norms around Condom Use For people who are sexually active, consistent and correct condom use is one of the most effective methods of protections against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to EDHS (2005), most women and men are aware that the chances of getting the virus can be reduced by limiting sex to one uninfected partner who has no other partners (63% and 79%, respectively) or by abstaining from sexual intercourse (62 percent and 80 percent, respectively). However, knowledge about the use of condoms and the role they can play in preventing transmission of the HIV virus is relatively much less common, particularly among females. Analysis of data from BSS (2005) also suggests that young people’s use of condoms is generally inconsistent, and the proportion of sexually active youths who report condom use remains low.
them were aware of the risks associated with their behavior. One of the intriguing misconceptions reported by almost all of the participating MSM is that heterosexual sex is the only means of HIV transmission resulting low condom use among them (Ibid). In addition, the other major issues relating to MSM is the secrecy that often surrounds their sexuality. Almost all study participants stressed the importance of keeping their sexuality as a secret from their friends, family and community members at large. Therefore, having a girlfriend or to be in public relationship with women was mentioned by the participants as one method of concealing their sexual orientation towards men. Although they may not be interested in girls, majority of the participants have indicated that they also have girlfriends in order to be in line with the society’s expectation and to be free from social pressures. Similar to this, UNAIDS in 2005 has also reported that a large percentage of men having sex with men worldwide are also married and having sex with women as well (Ibid). Men having sex with men (with low condom use) who also have sexual relationships with women thus create a dense sexual network favorable to the spread of the virus. Condom Use and Norms around Condom Use For people who are sexually active, consistent and correct condom use is one of the most effective methods of protections against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to EDHS (2005), most women and men are aware that the chances of getting the virus can be reduced by limiting sex to one uninfected partner who has no other partners (63% and 79%, respectively) or by abstaining from sexual intercourse (62 percent and 80 percent, respectively). However, knowledge about the use of condoms and the role they can play in preventing transmission of the HIV virus is relatively much less common, particularly among females. Analysis of data from BSS (2005) also suggests that young people’s use of condoms is generally inconsistent, and the proportion of sexually active youths who report condom use remains low.