MSM AND THE INTERNET IN NIGERIA O. Kehinde 1 and A. Oliver 2 1 Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria 2 Male Attitude Network, Abuja, Nigeria A PRESENTATION MADE BY KEHINDE OKANLAWON AT THE 4 TH AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON SEXUAL HEALTH AND RIGHTS,“SEXUALITY AND HIV/AIDS”,ETHIOPIA,FEBRUARY 9 – 12,2010

BACKGROUND MSM are members of all communities, all races and ethnicities, and all strata of society 1 However, the existence of sex between men and its importance for HIV/AIDS prevention are frequently overlooked in the developing world 2 According to the Office of the United States Global AIDS Coordinator, MSM are among those who are most marginalized in society and have the least access to basic health care 3 In many parts of Africa, there is a climate of intolerance towards MSM They experience stigma, discrimination, violence and abuses Unfortunately, the health implications of ignoring MSM and excluding them from prevention programmes are far reaching Heterosexuals are at risk Discrimination prevents MSM from disclosing their sexual orientation and reporting for HIV services It makes the data on these issues to be biased

Criminalization of Homosexuality – A barrier to fighting HIV among MSM According to the words of a British actor Ian McKellen in the London times, UK. “ The way to stop the spread of HIV is not to make sex illegal but to make it safe” Homosexuality in Nigeria is illegal and can be punished by imprisonment of up to 14 years. As a result of this criminalization, the lives of MSM are characterized by denial, secrecy, stigma and discrimination. This often plays a role in inhibiting them from gaining access to HIV prevention and treatment. This is a violation of their human right

DEFINING THE PROBLEM In Nigeria, the HIV prevalence among MSM is 13.5% compared to 4.4% in the general population. therefore, the need to address HIV among MSM is great. With homophobia a big problem in Nigeria, many MSM express their sexuality in hidden placed due to the fear of being stigmatized, discriminated or persecuted. In the past few years, the internet has created new opportunities to meet same sex partners. Presently, about 10 gay oriented websites exist in Nigeria with thousands of MSM as users. However, HIV prevention among MSM who seek partners on the internet remain poorly addressed. Most previous HIV interventions on MSM in Nigeria have been through outreaches, parties, clubs and word of mouth., and non through the internet.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY This study examined : i) the sexual behaviors of MSM who solicit sex on the internet in Nigeria ii) the use of condoms among them and iii) their HIV risk factors

METHODOLOGY About 10 gay oriented websites exist in Nigeria and 2 were selected through purposive sampling. Some 400 users of these 2 gay oriented websites were then informed about the survey through internet chat. 106 MSM participated in the study between February and July Questionnaires were mailed to their addresses, filled by them and mailed back to us. The returned questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS version 13.Basic descriptive analysis of the data was performed using a frequency distribution.

ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS Socio demographic Characteristics VariablesFrequencyPercentage Age15 – – and above % 49% 14% Marital StatusSingle Married % 25% Place of residenceLagos Ibadan Port Harcourt Abuja Others % 21% 10% 14% 21% Sexual OrientationHomosexual Bisexual Transgender % 64% 2% ReligionChristians Muslims % 32% Role played in sexual relationships Dominant/top Less dominant/bottom Versatile % 29% 27%

Percentage Distribution of Respondents by their Sexual behavior, Condom use and HIV risk VariablesFrequencyPercentage Have met an MSM online in the past 1 year Yes No % 0% Have physically seen an MSM they met online Yes No % 7% If no, Why haven't you met them physically I didn’t send my picture Distance barrier They didn’t like my picture They didn’t like my profile % 18% 41% 15% I had anal sex with a new partner I met online in the past 1yr Yes No % 18% I had oral sex with a new partner I met online in the past 1yr Yes No % 21% I used condom at last anal sex with a new partner I met online Yes No % 39% I believe HIV can be contracted through anal sex Yes No

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Findings revealed the high HIV vulnerability of Nigerian MSM who solicit sex on the internet with occasional partners and the low use of condom among them during sex. (e.g. 32% didn’t use condom at last sex with a new partner). Some MSM internet users are ignorant and think HIV cannot be contracted through anal sex, they think it can only be contracted through vaginal sex and thus engage in anal sex without using condom. Heterosexuals and the general population at large are at risk if MSM’s HIV prevention needs are nelected.e.g,25% of the MSM are married to women, hence their wives are vulnerable as well. They often have multiple and occasional partners, e.g. Respondents have met an average of 3 sex partners on the internet in the last 1 year. There is a discrepancy between what ought to be and what is for these MSM Quite a number of the study participants are sex workers who engage in transactional sex with MSM they meet on the internet

RECOMMENDATIONS Our findings point to the need for HIV intervention programmes targeted at MSM to use this highly effective medium of communication to promote safe and healthy behavior among MSM and also to fight ignorance in order to achieve behavior change and safer sex. This will in turn help save lives and control the spread of HIV in the Nigerian populace. The Nigerian Ministry of Health, NACA, NGOs and other agencies working in the area of controlling HIV among MSM in Nigeria should extend their coverage to include MSM who solicit sex on the internet. This way, they will have access to HIV prevention messages online and also HIV prevention services in safe locations around Nigeria where they can access health information, and services such as IEC materials on MSM and HIV, condoms, lubricants, Voluntary HCT services, etc. Special training should also be provided for MSM peer educators among the users of these gay oriented websites. This can help educate lots of MSM internet users about HIV prevention messages they need to protect their health. More awareness should be created on the high risk of indulging in anal sex with multiple partners without using condoms.

STUDY CHALLENGES About 400 MSM who are users of these gay oriented websites were informed about the survey but only 106 willingly participated. Respondents did not submit the questionnaires on time. We kept on reminding and persuading them before they filled and returned the questionnaires. It took some time and so we had to be persistent. Some respondents were asking us to reward them with gifts if we wanted them to participate in the study. Some asked for recharge cards for their phones if we wanted them to participate.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would like to acknowledge the respondents who are MSM who solicit sex on the internet in Nigeria for choosing to participate in the study. We look to the day when we will have equal access to health care, including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and other sexual health services because we know that every human being has a right to health irrespective of sexual orientation.

Thank you