HIV and MSM community: Should we care? — Pt 2

BY PATRICIA WATSON

Monday, April 19, 2010

JAMAICA'S culture of multiple sexual partners which is epitomised in Beenie Man's Nuff Gal recording has contributed to the conundrum the country finds itself with regards to HIV.

More than 80 per cent of persons diagnosed with HIV reported having multiple sexual relations.

The 2008 Knowledge Attitude Practice and Behaviour Survey revealed that 76 per cent of males (from all population groups) aged 15 - 24 years reported having multiple sexual partners in the last 12 months. Men aged 25 - 49 years old were less likely to have multiple partners but also stood at 52 per cent.

In Nuff Gal, Beenie Man chants, "...the one burner business nah work again, 'cause one man fi have all 50 gal friend. If yu stop drink roots, start drink it again, 'yu haffi have the stamina fi service dem".

This situation is equally prevalent among heterosexual men as it is among men who have sex with men (MSM) and the legal and moral context within which gay men operate in Jamaica compounds their sexual behaviours and attitude.

"The reality is that, in our context, I don't see MSMs planning monogamous relationships. It is not that I am saying it is impossible, but due to the security risks you won't find a lot of men doing that," said a prominent businessman who is bisexual.

His statement supports the findings of a survey conducted by Dr Peter Figueroa, et al in 2008 which not only found that 31.8 per cent of MSMs surveyed were living with HIV, but that multiple partnerships were very common. The survey showed that 27.4 per cent of MSMs had two or more male partners in the past four weeks and 25. 9 per cent had one new male partner in the past four weeks.

"The social condition under which MSMs negotiate partners is different. There is absolutely nothing in the society that encourages healthy relationships, dating, spending time together, etc," said Jalna Broderick, prevention, treatment and care co-ordinator at Jamaica AIDS Support for Life.

"Few have stable places in which to live or have sex. There is pressure not to be seen with one specific person in case he becomes linked to or associated with that persona and therefore confirm questions about your sexuality."

The bisexual businessman also explained that "as Jamaican men, we have been brought up to believe that having many partners is a credential". The notion of having 'nuff gal' is also alive in the MSM community.

The survey done by Dr Figueroa and his team also revealed some other interesting data. Some 28.8 per cent of MSMs reported having had sexual relationships with at least one female partner in past four weeks; 15.9 per cent were living with a female sexual partner and 33.8 per cent had two or more female partners in the last 12 months.

According to Broderick, this is done mainly to deflect from social scrutiny. She noted that our society encourages men to have multiple sexual partners evidenced by some of the questions asked: 'How come mi neva see you wid no ooman?', 'Nuh time fi yu fi bring home a pickney now?'. She said being without a woman questions the man's masculinity and so rather than having that questioned they opt for relationships with women. On the other hand, she noted that some of the men involved with women are "genuinely bisexual and really and truly want both men and women".

It is against this background that experts in the field have been lobbying for the decriminalisation of buggery. It is clear from the data that significant portions of MSMs are also having sex with women. It is also clear that the rate of HIV infection among men is much higher than the national average of 1.8 per cent. Unless steps are taken to lower the rate of infection among MSMs, then it is logical that the national average will not be reduced.

Another key finding of the survey was that condom use among the MSM population was low compared to heterosexual males. Condom use among MSMs was at 30 per cent below that of the national average where condom use varies between 72 and 84 per cent for males.

You can send your questions or comments relating to HIV or related issues to info@eveforlife.org or write to Eve for Life, C/O Jamaica Observer

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COMMENTS (6)

K G
4/20/2010

Jaye Stone, I couldn't of stated it any better.

Antonette W.
4/19/2010

Everyone should be concerned about HIV. It is not just a gay disease. There's no point in burying our heads in the sand and pointing our fingers at gays as if it's all their fault. Those men who have relations with other men, (men on the down low,) then later go back to have relations with their women, are a dangerous lot. While they indulge themselves and walk away comforted that no one will discover their little secret, they ruin lives. If one partner is sleeping around, he/she runs the risk of infecting the partner who is behaving. Just listen to all the women who now have AIDS because their men infected them after having their fun outside. All it takes is ONE ENCOUNTER with an infected person.

Vul C
4/19/2010

why should we repeal our laws because those who want to practice their marginal activities choose not to be responsible in doing so? heterosexual relationships are very much legal yet we still have problems with HIV, what makes homosexuals more disciplined? Please stop appealing for acceptance through flawed reasoning.

Norma Sparkes
4/19/2010

People need to responsible for their own actions, and stop play the blame game.

Paul Lewis
4/19/2010

@ Jay, I agree 100%, however I dont understand " against this background that experts in the field have been lobbying for the decriminalisation of buggery ", the writer loses me there. Instead of reeling off surveys and statements that dont bolster the position, but shows the adoption by gay / bisexual men of the same attitude practiced by heterosexual men. I am afraid doing away with anti-buggery Laws will not lead to more gay men practicing safe " sex ",since Ganja has been illegal " forever " but people still smoke it. Educating the Nation on Civil Rights will be more effective in the long run, rather than using spurious arguments, which they will not grasp. Simply telling people that nobody can stop them from loving whomever they wish to and no amount of Laws or ignorance will change that fact... is direct and to the point.

Jaye Stone
4/19/2010

"JAMAICA'S culture of multiple sexual partners which is epitomised in Beenie Man's Nuff Gal recording has contributed to the conundrum the country finds itself with regards to HIV."
This is what happens when the culture of a people is left to be defined totally by the ignorant and illiterate in their midst.

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HIV and MSM community: Should we care? — Pt 2