Access to HIV Services for Mobile and Migrant Populations in Antigua

Misconceptions
At least 90% of the participants were clear that HIV could not be contracted from being
bitten by a mosquito, sharing a toilet or sharing a meal and over 90% were aware that a
healthy looking person could be HIV positive. This may be due to the fact that the
information that has been made available has reached the population.
Discussion and Conclusions based upon MSM Focus Group and Survey
It is clear without a doubt that stigma and discrimination is an issue for the migrant MSM
population interviewed, emphasized by the fact that they are foreigners. Because of this,
the guys had difficulty being in public, accessing health care services, mingling with the
mainstream population and they have trust issues. The downside to this is that they often
did not seek medical care. It appears that a lot of members of the public did not
understand MSM concerns and often assume that they are all HIV+. They feel that they
can “catch” something if they associate with them on a regular basis. It is clear that the
public does not always have the right information. Some of this attitude is fed by the
reggae music, misconceptions and not enough discussions from persons who know better.
Due to the fact that Antigua is a small community many of the guys interviewed knew
each other and there were a lot of issues among them so sometimes there is limited peer
group support within their circle. There is a lack of unity, so it is difficult to move ahead
and represent their issues to the relevant stakeholders when there is no cohesion or “one
voice”. It seems like many are pulling in different directions and have different loyalties
to different agencies without recognizing that they all share similar issues and often want
the same things.
Some of the MSM’s of the study engaged in multiple relationships involving sex which
expose them to more risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. It
appears that the younger ones are more vulnerable and also the unemployed ones and the
ones who do not get adequate family support.
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