%0 Journal Article
%T HIV Risk among MSM in Senegal: A Qualitative Rapid Assessment of the Impact of Enforcing Laws That Criminalize Same Sex Practices
%A Tonia Poteat
%A Daouda Diouf
%A Fatou Maria Drame
%A Marieme Ndaw
%A Cheikh Traore
%A Mandeep Dhaliwal
%A Chris Beyrer
%A Stefan Baral
%J PLOS ONE
%D 2011
%I Public Library of Science (PLoS)
%R 10.1371/journal.pone.0028760
%X Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for HIV in Senegal, with a prevalence of 21.5%. In December 2008, nine male HIV prevention workers were imprisoned for ¡°acts against nature¡± prohibited by Senegalese law. This qualitative study assessed the impact of these arrests on HIV prevention efforts. A purposive sample of MSM in six regions of Senegal was recruited by network referral. 26 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in July¨CAugust 2009. 14 key informants were also interviewed. All participants reported pervasive fear and hiding among MSM as a result of the December 2008 arrests and publicity. Service providers suspended HIV prevention work with MSM out of fear for their own safety. Those who continued to provide services noticed a sharp decline in MSM participation. An effective response to the HIV epidemic in Senegal should include active work to decrease enforcement of this law.
%U http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0028760