Men who have sex with men (MSM)
HIV prevalence is 2–3 times higher in the male population in the WHO European Region than in females, because injecting drug use and male-to-male sex are the predominant modes of transmission.
In western and central European countries, MSM account for about half of all HIV-infections with known transmission routes. In eastern European countries, 1% of all HIV infections are reported as being in MSM, which may better reflect gender norms and the stigmatization of MSM and people who inject drugs than the real situation. In most eastern European countries and some central European countries, MSM remain one of the most hidden parts of society. Little is known about their risk behaviour, including injecting drugs, international sex tourism and involvement in commercial sex.
WHO strategy
The WHO strategy to address MSM issues has two components:
- enhancing the capacities of nongovernmental organizations dealing with MSM, through activities such as counselling, outreach work, development of informational materials, advocacy training, fundraising, development of networks, etc.; and
- assisting Member States in developing and scaling up comprehensive services for MSM by supporting projects, training health care providers and helping to establish health care services for vulnerable populations.
