Abstract
Abstract Background: Across the Asia-Pacific, men who have sex with men (MSM) constitute a growing proportion of those infected with and at risk for HIV/AIDS, but frequently lack access to treatment-related resources because of stigma and discrimination. Objective: To identify challenges that a community-based organization (CBO) and its corresponding HIV clinic in Bangkok, Thailand, face in order to facilitate access to HIV-related care and treatment services by HIV-positive MSM. Methods: Data were collected through focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and surveys of staff members and volunteers working at the support facilities from April through May 2011. Results: A total of 21 staff and volunteers working at the support facilities participated. Participants reported various barriers to use of HIV-related services by MSM including fear of stigmatization because of their infection status, limited clinic/hospital hours, and misunderstanding of risks. Conclusions: In response to these barriers, CBOs implemented solutions ranging from outreach activities to organization of a men’s health clinic targeting MSM.
Highlights
Across the Asia–Pacific, men who have sex with men (MSM) constitute a growing proportion of those infected with and at risk for HIV/AIDS, but frequently lack access to treatment-related resources because of stigma and discrimination
The focus group discussion (FGD) held at Poz Home included three staff members and seven part-time volunteer workers
The primary objective of this descriptive study was to use a mixed-methods approach to understand barriers to service use within a community-based organization (CBO) and an MSM-focused clinic in Bangkok. This mixed-methods approach allowed us to obtain valuable qualitative data from those who work closely with the MSM population and gain new perspectives to guide future endeavors for HIV prevention that would not have been revealed from quantitative patient data alone
Summary
Across the Asia–Pacific, men who have sex with men (MSM) constitute a growing proportion of those infected with and at risk for HIV/AIDS, but frequently lack access to treatment-related resources because of stigma and discrimination. Objective: To identify challenges that a community-based organization (CBO) and its corresponding HIV clinic in Bangkok, Thailand, face in order to facilitate access to HIV-related care and treatment services by HIV-positive MSM. Methods: Data were collected through focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and surveys of staff members and volunteers working at the support facilities from April through May 2011. Results: A total of 21 staff and volunteers working at the support facilities participated. Participants reported various barriers to use of HIV-related services by MSM including fear of stigmatization because of their infection status, limited clinic/hospital hours, and misunderstanding of risks. Conclusions: In response to these barriers, CBOs implemented solutions ranging from outreach activities to organization of a men’s health clinic targeting MSM
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