Research on stigmatization, discrimination, social and biological risk factors for hiv infection among homosexual male population

Ciljevi istraživanja: Ispitati znanje, rizično ponašanje i zdravstveno stanje muškaraca koji imaju seks sa drugim muškarcima (MSM) u vezi sa HIV-om i drugim polno prenosivim infekcijama u Bosni i i Hercegovini (BiH) i ispitati dubinu i kompleksnost stigme i diskriminacije sa kojima se susreće ova populacija. Metod: Istraživanje je sprovedeno u populaciji MSM i to kao: (1) studija presjeka koja ima bihejvioralnu i biološku komponentu, i istraživanje kvaliteta života u vezi sa zdravljem, pomoću SF 36 upitnika, u populaciji od 391 ispitanika, i (2) deskriptivna studija, koja je sprovedena u formi dubinskog intervjua među 12 ispitanika pripadnika MSM. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na nedovoljno poznavanje načina prenosa HIV-a, kao i prisustvo rizičnog ponašanja u MSM populaciji. Tek 46,3% ispitivanih zna sve načine prenosa HIV-a; 26,7% uvijek koristi kondom pri seksualnom odnosu, a 44,5% MSM koristi alkohol ili psihoaktivne supstance prilikom seksualnih odnosa. Biološkim testiranjem HIV je potvrđen kod 1% ispitanika, virus hepatitisa C (HCV) kod 0,5% i virus hepatitisa B (HBV) kod 0,5% ispitanika. Najveći SF36 skor ispitanici su imali u domenima fizičkog zdravlja i ograničenja u vezi sa zdravljem, dok je najmanji SF skor zabilježen u domenima energije i emocionalnog stanja. Rezultati intervjua ukazuju da je MSM populacija u BiH izložena višestrukoj stigmi i diskriminaciji, pa čak i u sistemu zdravstvene zaštite. Zaključak: MSM populacija u BiH je iz više razloga u povećanom riziku za dobijanje HIV infekcije.Aims of research: To examine the knowledge, risk behaviour and health state of men who have sex with other men (MSM) related to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), and to examine the depth and complexity of stigma and discrimination that this population encounters. Method: The research was conducted in MSM population in the form of: (1) a cross-sectional study that has behavioral and biological components, and the research on the quality of life related to health, using SF-36 questionnaire, in the population of 391 respondents, and (2) a descriptive, qualitative study conducted in the form of in-depth interviews among 12 members of MSM population. Research results indicate the insufficient knowledge related to HIV transmission and the presence of risk behaviour among MSM population. Only 46.3% of the respondents are informed about all the ways of HIV transmission; 26.7% always use a condom during a sexual intercourse and 44.5% use alcohol and psychoactive substances during a sexual intercourse. The presence of HIV was confirmed in 1% of respondents through biological tests, hepatitis C virus (HCV) was confirmed in 0.5% of respondents and hepatitis B virus (HBV) was confirmed in 0.5% of respondents. The respondents had the highest SF36 score in the domains of physical state of health and health-related restrictions, while the lowest SF score was recorded in the domain of energy and emotional state. The results of the interviews indicate that MSM population in B&H is exposed to multiple stigmas and discrimination, even in the health care system. Conclusion: MSM population in B&H is exposed to an increased risk of acquiring HIV infection due to the multiple reasons