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Social Characteristics of Adolescent Men who have Sex with Men (AMSM) in Ghana. bb3drah@yahoo.com. B right Drah, N.F. Clement, J. Duodo , S. Benefour. care LINKS. Findings: Social characteristics of AMSM. Mean age 16.1 years (13 – 17 years). Objectives
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Social Characteristics of Adolescent Men who have Sex with Men (AMSM) in Ghana bb3drah@yahoo.com Bright Drah, N.F. Clement, J. Duodo, S. Benefour International AIDS Conference, Vienna, Austria - 20 July 2010 careLINKS
Findings: Social characteristics of AMSM Mean age 16.1 years (13 – 17 years) Objectives To identify the socio-economic characteristics of AMSM To recommend appropriate interventions for preventing HIV infections among AMSM Religious affiliation: 89.9% Christians, 7.9% - Moslems 2.2% Traditionalists Educational background: 77% basic school 15.8% Secondary 0.7% Tertiary 8% No formal education careLINKS
Sexual behaviours of AMSM • Transactional sex - 80.6% received money/gifts for sex 69.8% gave money/gift for sex • 71.2% had multiple sexual partners each week 15% had 5-20 partners a week • 88% had sexual partners 1-48 years older than them • 98% identified modes of HIV transmission 88% do not not use condom consistently • 25.2% used alcohol or marijuana careLINKS
Implications of findings Growing same-sex practices despite deep-rooted disapproval • Critical unmet medical and informational needs of AMSM must be examined in the context of rights – violence and lack of spaces for socializing, redress & grieving) • High level of knowledge about HIV/STI exists side by side high risk-taking sexual behaviours and secrecy • Adult-centric interventions may be relevant to adolescents: Partner reduction, mutual faithfulness as well as consistent and correct use of condoms and lubricants • How innovative are current interventions? • Need for further research careLINKS