Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men: results of the first integrated biological and behavioral survey in Burkina Faso, West Africa

BackgroundMany men who have sex with men (MSM) are at significant risk for HIV infection. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of HIV infection among MSM in Burkina Faso.MethodsA cross-sectional biological and behavioral survey was conducted from January to August 2013 among MSM in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. MSM 18years old and above were recruited using respondent driven sampling (RDS). A survey was administered to study participants followed by HIV testing. Population prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for the RDS design were produced using the RDS Analysis Tool version 6.0.1 (RDS, Inc., Ithaca, NY).ResultsA total of 662 MSM were enrolled in Ouagadougou (n=333) and Bobo-Dioulasso (n=329). The majority were unmarried, with an average age of 22.14.4years old in Ouagadougou and 23.1 +/- 4.7years old in Bobo-Dioulasso. RDS-adjusted HIV prevalence was 1.7% (95% CI: 0.9-3.1) in Ouagadougou and 2.7% (95% CI: 1.6-4.6) in Bobo-Dioulasso. HIV prevalence among MSM under 25years old was 1.3% (95% CI: 0.6-2.8) and 0.9% (95% CI: 0.4-2.5) respectively in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, compared to 5.4% (95% CI: 2.2-12.5) and 6.6% (95% CI: 3.4-12.3) among those 25years old or older in these cities (p=0.010 and p<0.001).Conclusions p id=Par4 Results from this first biological and behavioral survey among MSM in Burkina Faso suggest a need for programs to raise awareness among MSM and promote safer sex, particularly for young MSM to prevent HIV transmission. These programs would need support from donors for innovative actions such as promoting and providing pre-exposure prophylaxis, condoms and water-based lubricants, HIV counseling, testing, early treatment initiation and effective involvement of the MSM communities.