Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

D3
HIV Risk Factors in Same Sex
Relationships
Factor
Sexual violence
Sex work
Drugs and alcohol
Lack of access to
health facilities
Having sex with
both men and
women
Injecting drug use
Men who have sex
with men
occasionally
How it puts MSM at risk of getting HIV
MSM who are sexually abused are more vulnerable to
getting HIV because mucus membranes are more likely to
be cut and therefore exposed to HIV infection during
forced sex.
MSM long hair find it difficult to get work because of
discrimination so many are forced to become sex workers.
They are often forced physically or by higher prices to
accept anal or oral sex without a condom.
Through excessive use of drugs or alcohol (which may
be a result of stigma), MSM lose their sense of control,
and forget about practicing safe sex.
Because of fear of stigma, MSM find it difficult to talk
openly with health workers about their sexual activities.
MSM can’t get information or condoms and lubricant from
health workers so they find it difficult to practice safe sex.
MSM who are married live a hidden, double life, which
increases their vulnerability to HIV, which in turn increases
the HIV risk for their wives.
MSM who are injecting drug users may get HIV from their
drug use and pass it on to their sexual partners.
Some of these men do not regard themselves as MSM.
This makes them vulnerable to HIV because they do not
feel they can get HIV and being outside the MSM community
they may have less access to information about how to
protect themselves from getting HIV while having sex with
other men.
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