Enhancing the Reach & Effectiveness of MSM-Targeted Combination HIV Prevention Interventions


I. Definition of the Prevention Area

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are globally disproportionately affected by HIV and urgently need increased coverage by quality prevention interventions. Evidence has shown that sustained combination approaches to HIV prevention that simultaneously address biomedical, behavioral and structural risks are most effective at reducing HIV transmission in generalized, concentrated, and mixed epidemic scenarios. Despite this evidence and the disproportionate epidemic burden MSM shoulder, HIV prevention services remain sub-optimal in many countries.

Not every MSM has an identity associated with their sexual preferences and behavior and therefore may remain non-self-identified, posing a formidable challenge to programs that seek to target them. For example, the term "MSM" can include gay- or bisexual-identified men, transgender men who have sex with men, men who identify as completely heterosexual, men who identify through indigenous identities outside the largely Western concepts of hetero- or homosexuality, or men with no particular sexual identity at all. In many cultures, heterosexism (the assumption that everyone is heterosexual) is pervasive, and any behavior or identity that deviates from a heterosexual cultural norm is stigmatized and discriminated against, and is in some cases criminalized.

Individual-level risks for HIV acquisition in MSM include unprotected receptive anal intercourse, a high frequency of male partners, a high number of lifetime male partners, injecting and non-injecting drug use, a high viral load in the index partner, and mental health issues. On the structural level, risks include criminalization of same-sex behavior, MSM avoiding health services out of fear of discrimination, and breaches of privacy and confidentiality. In order to succeed, HIV prevention interventions must address the complexities of MSM identity and take into account multiple levels of risk. Combination approaches that simultaneously address behavioral, biomedical, and structural risks are an effective way to do this. At all levels, MSM individuals and communities must be involved in the conceptualization, planning, implementation, and evaluation of research and programming.

II. Epidemiological Justification for the Prevention Area

Three decades into the epidemic, HIV continues to disproportionately affect MSM everywhere. Globally, MSM are 19 times more likely to be infected by HIV than the general population of reproductive age and have an overall HIV prevalence of 12%. Many MSM also have female sexual partners and can serve as a bridge to other populations. Despite these facts, research and interventions targeted at MSM are still under-prioritized by governments, donors, and civil society. Surveillance data, when available, is limited and likely underestimates both MSM population size and their HIV prevalence rates. Some estimates suggest that as low as 5% of MSM worldwide have access to basic HIV prevention services.

There is evidence to show that MSM-targeted prevention interventions can reduce risk for HIV infection among MSM. Group- and community-level behavioral interventions among MSM have been shown to lead to up to a 43% decrease in unprotected anal sex, and group-level interventions have been shown to increase the odds of condom use by as high as 81%. A recent study suggests that behavioral interventions that reach 25% or more non-self-identified MSM are more effective than those targeting self-identified MSM alone. Another study suggests that countries that combine MSM-specific community-based behavioral prevention interventions with condom and condom-compatible lubricant distribution can reduce new HIV infections among both MSM and the general population. Evidence also shows that episodic and/or single-track interventions tend to be less effective in the long-term, which highlights a need for sustained combination prevention approaches.

III. Core Programmatic Components

The World Health Organization (WHO), together with other global agencies, has identified a set of evidence-based, mutually reinforcing biomedical, behavioral, and structural HIV prevention intervention components which, when combined, effectively reduce HIV infection among MSM. The following are some examples of strongly-recommended program components:

MSM population size estimation is essential to prevention intervention program design. This poses a significant challenge, as many MSM do not self-identify or choose not to disclose their sexuality. A number of methods, including the relatively new network scale-up method, have shown effectiveness for use with MSM. UNAIDS recommends making estimates by triangulating results from more than one method and cautions that data should be interpreted with caution and sampling method biases should be clearly acknowledged. Finally, more research should be done on the viability of all methods for use with MSM.

IV. Current Status of Implementation Experience

Regardless of which combination of prevention approaches is used, a number of overarching best practices are recommended to improve the reach and quality of all MSM-targeted HIV programs:

  1. 1. Involve MSM and MSM living with HIV in program design, implementation, and evaluation. The most deep-reaching and successful approaches to prevention interventions leverage community ties and experiences; their networks, an understanding of risk-related issues, and their ability to meaningfully connect with other MSM.
  2. 2. Ensure confidentiality. Given the high levels of stigma and discrimination MSM face, confidentiality is a key requirement.
  3. 3. Provide training for both general healthcare staff and staff who work in HIV prevention, care and treatment programs to help them provide quality, stigma-free services.


What we know

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Putting it into practice

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Tools and Curricula

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Global Forum on MSM and HIV

The Forum is comprised of a loose network of civil society groups, AIDS organizations, MSM groups, and other agencies, which together advocate at the national and global levels for improved HIV programming for MSM. The initiative is a response to the shared concern that existing HIV strategies do not adequately address the needs of MSM. The Forum disseminates information on best practices in HIV prevention and treatment, advocates for improved access and funding for MSM services, and provides a forum for MSM around the globe to strengthen their regional, sub-regional, and national networks. Member organizations share a commitment to social justice, to human rights issues, and to improving the HIV response to MSM and other sexual and gender minorities.

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amfAR. (2012).


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Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. (n.d.)

This document outlines the Global Fund's SOGI strategy. The intent of the strategy is to augment and reinforce the efforts of the Global Fund in realizing outcomes and impact against the three diseases (AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria); recognizing the vulnerabilities of MSM, TG peoples, and sex workers; and recognizing the imperatives to minimize harm. Actions are recommended that can be implemented in ways that are gradual, careful, built upon current positive efforts and good intents, and respectful of the varying contexts in which the Global Fund operates.

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International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA)

IRMA. (n.d.)


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