Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

AIDS was first identified in the United States, in 1981, as an illness affecting men who have sex with men (MSM).  In the U.S. and in many other industrialized countries, AIDS continues to affect MSM more than any other segment of the population.

 

But in many developing countries, AIDS is believed to mainly affect heterosexually active men and women, and male-to-male transmission is assumed to be minimal.  

There is no certainty this assumption is valid.  Despite social, legal, and religious taboos, it is certain there are men who have sex with other men in every society.

 

The extent of such activity is unknown as few MSM are likely to admit the fact if such admission leads to social ostracism or legal sanctions.  Even when they are guaranteed confidentiality, men who have contracted HIV often claim they did so through heterosexual activity.

 

The taboos and stigma attached to homosexual activity mean that many MSM are either unaware of or deny the risks to themselves or their partners.  This means they seldom practice safer sex, and risk becoming infected or transmitting HIV to their partners--male and female.

 

Because most MSM do not identify themselves as such despite their same-sex behavior, it is essential that HIV prevention messages address "risk behavior" rather than "risk groups."  Prevention aimed at "gay" or "bisexual" men is ineffective for these men because they are likely to dismiss its relevance—while continuing to put themselves and their partners at risk.