Men who have sex with men (MSM) have played an important role in the history of the HIV epidemic since they were the first population in which AIDS was identified and studied. As shown by studies around the world, MSM are extremely vulnerable to HIV because of the high biological risk inherent in anal sex and because many have an extensive network of sexual partners. It is thus essential for program planners to know more about the size and mobility of MSM populations involved in high-risk behaviors in order to design appropriate interventions.

Men Who Have Sex with Men in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Population Size and Sex Trade examines the heterogeneous groups and subgroups of MSM frequenting public meeting places in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to better understand their population size and mobility. The research, conducted by Family Health International/Cambodia, also includes a qualitative study on the exchange of sex for money among MSM. The study is an outgrowth of earlier research measuring HIV prevalence and risk behavior among urban Cambodian MSM, as well as the programming experiences of the FHI-funded Men Health for Cambodia and the Urban Sector Group, NGOs that deliver services to MSM.

The population size estimate survey, which ran for a week at 24 locations where MSM in Phnom Penh gather, analyzed responses from more than 1,200 respondents. To assess MSM mobility, respondents received special key chains with identity tags to allow researchers at different locations to track their movements. Respondents were asked about the number of visits they'd made to specific meeting spots during the week, as well as whether they receive money for sex regularly, occasionally, or never.

Results from the qualitative study are based on three focus group discussions conducted with MSM selected by peer educators from the two NGOs. Participants were asked to speak about their lives, their economic situations and the circumstances in which they either give or receive money for having sex with other men. 

 Download PowerPoint presentation about reaching MSM.