Stigma, Human Rights Violations, Health Care Access, and Disclosure among Men who have Sex with Men in the Gambia

While there is a growing data pool on HIV prevalence and risks among men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub-Saharan Africa, much less is known concerning the roles of stigma, discrimination, and criminalization of same-sex sexual practices in access to health care and risk of HIV. This study assesses the relationship between disclosure of same-sex sexual practices and human rights violations. Several associations were identified between disclosure of same-sex sexual practices and human rights abuses among MSM in the Gambia. A multi-pronged approach at the individual, community, and structural levels is needed to ensure the health and human rights of MSM and other vulnerable populations.