The behavioural risk factors that contribute to HIV morbidity among men who have sex with men (msm) in Imo state, South East Nigeria during the period of January 2018-2023

The rising rate of HIV morbidity among the MSM is a result of their social marginalization. Thus, in Imo State, South East Nigeria, this study looked at risk factors linked to high HIV morbidity among MSM. With 300 respondents who were purposefully chosen from among 100 respondents from each of Imo State's three senatorial zones, a cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used to examine factors such as age and highest level of education. The QHMMSM questionnaire, which had a reliability rating of 0.84 and was evaluated by three specialists at Imo State University in Owerri, served as the study tool. The instrument was mailed, and chi-square and descriptive mean statistics were used to analyze the results.The age at which a woman had her first sexual experience with a man, the number of men she had sex with in the previous six months, having regular sex with a man, the status of her male partner, and having anal intercourse with a condom as the insertive partner, receptive partner, or without a condom do not impact the rate of HIV infection among MSM. These are examples of behavioral risk factors. On the other hand, anal intercourse as the receptive partner without the use of a condom greatly increases HIV morbidity. MSM concurred that when they play a receptive role during anal intercourse, they are more likely to transmit HIV than when they play an insertive position. This led to the deduction that MSM who participate in high-risk sexual behaviors are susceptible to HIV/AIDS infection. The results indicate that age plays a significant role in HIV morbidity, but education level also plays a significant role in HIV morbidity among MSM, with tertiary educated individuals having the highest propensity for HIV/AIDS morbidity. Thus, among other things, it was suggested that the current HIV and Aids policies be urgently reviewed in order to support MSM-friendly health care services, with an emphasis on HIV prevention initiatives. It is necessary to update the risk assessment and screening instruments currently utilized by clinics to incorporate inquiries on MSM behavior, anal STIs, and penile-anal sex.