Edinburgh Napier University

  Background: Achieving the United Nations global HIV targets requires a more person-centred approach, socially inclusive and stigma-free care services that positively impact the overall quality of life for men who have sex with men (MSM) and living with HIV. In developing person-centred interventions to address the holistic needs of MSM living with HIV, consideration must be given to addressing barriers and improving health service outcomes across the three core pillars of person-centred care (access to care, quality services and supportive services) for men.

Aim/Research question or hypothesis: To explore barriers to accessing care services by MSM living with HIV in informing the development of a person-centred intervention to improve their outcomes and quality of life.

Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative interview was conducted with MSM living with HIV. Participants were purposively sampled from a cohort of persons living with HIV and interviews were analysed deductively using thematic analysis.

Results: Of the n=7 participants interviewed, n=5 have an age range of 20 to 28 years and n=2 were 56 and 61 respectively, with interviews lasting from 40 to 60 minutes. Three interconnected themes emerged which impacted negatively on participants’ care experience including (a) stigma and discrimination, (b) fear of status disclosure, and (c) dual burden of disclosure of HIV status and sexual orientation.

Discussion: Our data revealed that HIV related stigma and discrimination remain a major barrier to accessing care services including fear of being recognised as someone living with HIV as well as the dual burden of HIV and sexuality status disclosure since same sex relationships have not been legalised in Ghana. Thus improving access and coverage of HIV services for MSM is critical for population health. Moreover, evidence-based interventions which aligns with person-centred care and addresses holistic needs by putting MSM at the centre of service delivery are needed for sustained uptake of HIV related services.