Reduction of Risk Behaviours in the Prevention of HIV/AIDS Transmission among Men Having Sex with Men in Benin: Trends from 2015-2017

Introduction: MSM are known to contribute to the spread of the HIV epidemic because they engage in high-risk behaviours during intercourse sex. Benin has a care service for people living with HIV which raised awareness of sexual behaviours at risk of HIV infection among MSM in 2015 and to assess the impact of actions in 2017. The study examines the evolution of risk practices from 2015 to 2017. Materials & Methods: Study was conducted among 359 MSM recruited by respondent-driven sampling from November 13 to 24, 2017 covering 19 cities of country. Eligibility criteria for MSM enrolment included being born as a biological male who reported having had at least one anal or oral sexual encounter with a male partner in the past 12 months, and being at least 18 years old and residing in Benin for the past six months prior to the survey, regardless of nationality, whether or not to belong to an association that is a member of one of the two MSM networks (BESYP and Coalition Sida Benin). Results: MSM age seeds ranged from 22 to 33 years and 359 were included in the study. They had a high school diploma or higher in 2015 and 2017. MSM were predominantly Beninese and their prevalence did not change from 2015 (97.4%) to 2017 (98.3%) (p = 0.46). The prevalence of MSM reporting consistent use of a condom with lubricating gel every time they had anal sex with a male partner in the past 6 months increased compared to 2015 (21.1%) to 2017 (44.1%) (p Conclusion: The results confirm the need to improve and strengthen current interventions in the prevention of HIV infection in the MSM population.