Risky practices and HIV
Biological-behavioral surveillance surveys, which probe the risk behaviors and HIV vulnerability of men who have sex with men (MSM), have been conducted in a number of countries in the Arab region. Such facts and figures are only a snapshot from the lives of MSM, hardly the big picture which is needed and which is only now starting to coming into focus through greater research. In the meantime, here’s a partial view:
Country |
Sample |
HIV Testing /
|
Risk profile |
Source |
| Egypt | 791 men in 3 cities | 25 / 6 |
2-4% say they inject drugs 32-92% (depending on location) had commercial sex in past 6 months 22-51% used a condom during commercial sex in past 6 months |
HIV/AIDS Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Survey, 2010 |
| Jordan | 468 men from 4 cities | 32 / 0.1 |
52% know that condoms can protect against HIV 36% consistently use condoms with commercial sex partners |
UNGASS Country Report, Jordan, 2012 |
| Lebanon | 101 men in Beirut | 22 / 3.7 |
96% know that condoms can protect against HIV 70% always use condoms with commercial partners 67% considered themselves at risk of HIV |
“HIV/AIDS among female sex workers, drug users and men who have sex with men in Lebanon”. An in-depth look at these issues, through detailed interviews with 31 MSM, is available at “A Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Risk and HIV Testing Behaviours”. |
| Morocco | 669 in 2 cities | 31 / 5.1 |
50% say they used a condom at last same-sex intercourseMore than 60% exchanged sex for money with multiple partners |
UNGASS Country Report Morocco, 2012 |
| Sudan | — | 16 / 3.6 | At most, 25% say they used a condom at last same-sex intercourse | UNGASS Country Report Sudan, 2012 |
| Tunisia | 1001 men in 6 cities | 15 / 13 |
29% report condom use at last same-sex intercourse 40% report unsafe sex with men and women |
UNGASS Country Report, Tunisia, 2012 |
| Yemen | 261 men from 2 cities | 28 / 6 |
24% used a condom at last same-sex intercourse 1% report injecting drugs |
UNGASS Country Report, Yemen, 2012 |