HIV/AIDS prevention among men who have sex with men in Kenya: Ishtar MSM

5^th International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs and STIs

November 13-14, 2017 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Eliud Kibugi

Ishtar MSM Wellness Center, Kenya

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

Background: Ishtar MSM is a community based organization. It advances sexual health rights for MSM to reduce STI/HIV infections by creating awareness with the aim of advocating for their sexual and health rights to access health care, including STI/HIV and AIDS related care and treatment in Kenya. Their objectives are: To advocate for equal access of healthcare for MSMs, to identify and develop a referral system for MSMs health needs, to create, raise and promote public awareness about MSMs capacity building of members to instill skills to help with living with oneself, to offer peer education services to the members, to create, plan and manage different support groups for the members and to emphasize life skills and development of positive attitude and values. Methods: Ishtar MSM programs are based on three major issues namely: Social Well Being: Under this Ishtar MSM provides safe space for mobilization, organizing and networking of members through activities such as movies and parties. Also they conduct open forums discussions guided covering issues as healthy relationships. They also provide psycho-social support through peer education services and counseling referrals. Lastly under this scope they produce IEC materials on sexual health. Health: Under this scope Ishtar MSM provides HIV counseling and testing, STI screening and treatment referrals to MSM friendly care centers, distribution of lubricants and condoms to MSMS and behavioral structural interventions with peer interest on education and counseling. Capacity Building: Ishtar MSM is also involved in developing practical skills dissemination through referrals, networking and establishment of partnerships, personal development and ongoing skills development with the volunteers on the areas of leadership and competence, infrastructure development implementation and training and life development. Results: Currently they have over 2,700 active client file each allocated to a peer educator to ensure that they get all the services offered by the clinic. Of the active files, 20% of them are living positively and are under Anti Retro Viral therapy program and also receiving support and psychological support through Ishtar. Conclusions: Ishtar MSM is doing a very commendable job and I am requesting that the Kenyan government and International organizations to Support them in delivering their objectives