Multilayered Stigma and Vulnerabilities for HIV Infection and Transmission: A Qualitative Study on Male Sex Workers in Zimbabwe

American Journal of Men's Health
Eileen Yuk-Ha TsangXiaoming Li

Abstract

Male sex workers are marginalized in most societies due to intersectional stigma between prostitution and homosexuality. In Zimbabwe, a proliferation of male sex workers in major cities such as Harare and Bulawayo has been reported. However, there is a shortage of studies that explore their lives. The current qualitative study aims to describe the practices of sex work, life contexts, and HIV risks and vulnerabilities based on in-depth interviews among 15 male sex workers in Bulawayo. Our studies suggest that the stigma against male sex workers comes from diverse sectors including culture ("homosexuality is un-African, introduced by the Whites"), religion ("same sex is a sin before the God"), law and police ("homosexuality is illegal in Zimbabwe. Engaging in it can send one to prison"), media ("the media is hostile to sex workers particularly men as we are regarded as abnormal and unclean"), and their family ("should they get to know about it, they will disown me"). In this context, male sex workers were excluded from national HIV prevention and treatment programs. They had limited knowledge and many misconceptions about HIV. The stigma and discrimination from health-care providers also discouraged them from health seeking or H...Continue Reading

References

Jul 24, 2008·AIDS and Behavior·Timothy L Mah, Daniel T Halperin
Apr 16, 2009·Sociology of Health & Illness·Graham Scambler
Feb 15, 2013·Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes : JAIDS·Lung VuBabatunde Ahonsi
Apr 1, 2014·Tanzania Journal of Health Research·Daniel J MagesaDominicus Tungaraza
Sep 30, 2016·Global Public Health·Walter Chingwaru, Jerneja Vidmar

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Citations

Jan 23, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Dionius B MahamboroLillian Mwanri
Nov 11, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Eileen Yuk-Ha Tsang
Nov 4, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Eileen Yuk-Ha Tsang

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