Reproductive Health Matters
Volume 17, Issue 33 , Pages 133-142 , May 2009

Breaking the silence: South African HIV policies and the needs of men who have sex with men

  • Laetitia C Rispel

      Affiliations

    • Adjunct Professor, Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • ,
  • Carol A Metcalf

      Affiliations

    • Chief Research Specialist and Epidemiologist, Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health Research Programme, Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa

References 

  1. UNAIDS. Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic. Geneva: UNAIDS; 2008;
  2. Beyrer C. Hidden yet happening: the epidemics of sexually transmitted infections and HIV among men who have sex with men in developing countries. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2008;84:410–412
  3. Baral S, Sifakis F, Cleghorn F, et al. The epidemiology of HIV among MSM in low- and middle-income countries: high rates, limited responses. In: AmfAR Special Report: MSM, HIV and the Road to Universal Access – How Far have we Come?. New York: AmfAR; August 2008;p. 9–12
  4. Cáceres CF, Konda K, Segura ER, et al. Epidemiology of male same-sex behaviour and associated sexual health indicators in low- and middle-income countries: 2003–2007 estimates. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2008;84:i49–i56
  5. UNAIDS. In: Report on the global AIDS epidemic: a UNAIDS 10th anniversary special edition. Geneva: UNAIDS; 2006;p. 110
  6. Van Harmelen J, Wood R, Lambrick M, et al. An association between HIV-1 subtypes and mode of transmission in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS. 1997;11(1):81–87
  7. Department of Health. HIV & AIDS and STIs. National Strategic Plan for South Africa, 2007–2011. Pretoria: Department of Health; 2007;
  8. Ministry of Health of the Republic of South Africa. Progress Report on Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS, Republic of Commitment: Reporting period January 2006-December 2007. Pretoria: Ministry of Health; 2008;
  9. UNAIDS. Country Harmonisation and Alignment Tool. A tool to address harmonisation and alignment challenges by assessing strengths and effectiveness of partnerships in the national AIDS response, 2007. UNAIDS/07/07.17E/JC1231E (ISBN 978 92 9173 580 8).
  10. Beyrer C. HIV epidemiology update and transmission factors: risks and risk contexts-16th International AIDS conference epidemiology plenary. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2007;44:981–987
  11. UNAIDS. HIV and sex between men: policy brief. Geneva: UNAIDS; 2006;
  12. Girault P, Saidel T, Song N, et al. HIV, STIs and sexual behaviours among men who have sex with men in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. AIDS Education & Prevention. 2004;16:31–44
  13. Wade AS, Kane CT, Diallo PA, et al. HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men in Senegal. AIDS. 2005;19:2133–2140
  14. Van Griensven F, Thanprasertsuk S, Jommaroeng R, et al. Evidence of a previously undocumented epidemic of HIV infection among men who have sex with men in Bangkok, Thailand. AIDS. 2005;19:521–526
  15. Van Griensven F. Men who have sex with men and their epidemics in Africa. AIDS. 2007;21(10):1361–1362
  16. Baral S, Sifakis F, Cleghorn F, et al. Elevated risk for HIV infection among men who have sex with men in low- and middle-income countries 2000–2006: a systematic review. PLoS Medicine. 2007;4(12):e339
  17. Sanders EJ, Graham SM, Okuku HS, et al. HIV-1 infection in high risk men who have sex with men in Mombasa, Kenya. AIDS. 2007;21(18):2513–2520
  18. Sandfort TGM, Nel J, Rich E, et al. HIV testing and self-reported HIV status in South African men who have sex with men: results from a community-based survey. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2008;84:425–429
  19. Van Harmelen J, Wood R, Lambrick M, et al. An association between HIV-1 sub-types and mode of transmission in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS. 1997;11:81–87
  20. Sher R, dos Santos L. Prevalence of HTLV-III antibodies in homosexual men in Johannesburg. South African Medical Journal. 1985;67(13):484
  21. Sher R. AIDS in Johannesburg. South African Medical Journal. 1985;68(3):137–138
  22. Sher R. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the RSA. South African Medical Journal Supplement. 1986;23–26
  23. Sher R. HIV infection in South Africa, 1982–1988: a review. South African Medical Journal. 1989;76(7):314–318
  24. Cloete A, Simbayi LC, Kalichman SC, et al. Stigma and discrimination experiences of HIV positive men who have sex with men in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS Care. 2008;20(9):1105–1110
  25. Department of Health. National HIV and syphilis antenatal sero-prevalence survey in South Africa 2007. Pretoria: Department of Health; 2008;
  26. Shisana O, Rehle T, Simbayi LC, et al. South African National HIV prevalence, HIV incidence, behaviour and communication survey. Cape Town: Human Sciences Research Council Press; 2005;
  27. Dorrington R, Bourne D. Has HIV prevalence peaked in South Africa? Can the report on the latest antenatal survey be trusted to answer this question?. South African Medical Journal. 2008;98(10):754–755
  28. Shisana O, Simbayi L. Nelson Mandela/HSRC Study of HIV/AIDS. South African national HIV prevalence, behavioural risks and mass media household survey, 2002. Cape Town: Human Sciences Research Council Press; 2002;
  29. Shisana O, Peltzer K, Zungu-Dirwayi N, et al. The Health of Our Educators. A Focus on HIV/AIDS in South African Public Schools. Cape Town: Human Sciences Research Council Press; 2005;
  30. AIDS data doesn't include gay men-lobbyists. At: < www.iol.co.za/general/news>. Accessed 13 February 2009
  31. Heyns A. Policy and decision making by blood transfusion services in South Africa [Editorial]. South African Medical Journal. 2006;96:421–422
  32. Reddy V. The erasure of HIV/AIDS in same-sex sexuality research in South Africa: some preliminary perspectives on issues, ideas and prospects. Paper presented at Joint Human Sciences Research Council, Columbia University, Durban Lesbian and Gay Community Health Centre, OUT Same-Sex Sexualities Conference, 9–11 May 2007.
  33. Deacon H, Sloan J, Mills E, editors. National Strategic Plan research colloquium, Cape Town, 28–29 May 2007, Final Report.
  34. Building consensus on prevention, treatment and care. Conference Declaration on HIV and AIDS. Durban: 3rd South African AIDS Conference, 5–8 June 2007.
  35. Johnson CA. Off the map: how HIV/AIDS programming is failing same sex practising people in Africa. New York: International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission; 2007;
  36. Vilakazi F. There is no mention of sexual minorities: HIV prevention challenges for lesbian and gay people in South Africa. AIDS Legal Network, November 2006.
  37. Saavedra J, Izazola JA, Beyrer C. Sex between men in the context of HIV. Jonathan Mann Memorial Lecture. Presented at International Conference on AIDS, Mexico City, August 2008.
  38. Joint Working Group: Access to rights; access to services. At: < www.jwg.org.za>
  39. South Africa lifts ban on blood donations from homosexual men. At: < www.monsterandcritics.com/news/health>
  40. Kapp C. South Africa unveils new 5-year HIV/AIDS plan. Lancet. 2007;369:1589–1590
  41. Republic of South Africa. Constitution of South Africa, Act No.108 of 1996.
  42. OUT GLBT Well-being. Health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people: issues, implications and recommendations. Submission to South African Human Rights Commission Public Inquiry into the Right to Have Access to Health Care Services, Johannesburg, May 2007.
  43. Wells H, Polders L. Gay and lesbian people's experience of the health care sector in Gauteng. Joint Working Group Research Initiative, conducted by OUT LGBT Well-being in collaboration with the UNISA Centre for Applied Psychology. Pretoria. (undated).
  44. Lane T, Mogale T, Struthers H, et al. “They see you as a different thing”: the experiences of men who have sex with men with healthcare workers in South African township communities. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2008;84:430–433
  45. Schneider H. On the fault line: the politics of AIDS policy in contemporary South Africa. African Studies. 2002;61(1):145–167
  46. Dickinson C, Buse K. Understanding the politics of national HIV policies: the roles of institutions, interests and ideas. London: HLSP Institute; 2008;
  47. Gilson L, McIntyre D. The interface between research and policy: experience from South Africa. Social Science and Medicine. 2008;67:748–759
  48. Cloete A, Rispel L, Metcalf C. Behind the mask: the need for research on HIV among men who have sex with men in South Africa. Paper presented at Cape Town Pride seminar series, 21 February 2007.
  49. Bernard D, Kippax S, Baxter D. Effective partnership and adequate investment underpin a successful response. Key factors in dealing with HIV increases. Sexual Health. 2008;5:193–201
  50. Griew R. Policy and strategic implications of Australia's divergent HIV epidemic among gay men. Sexual Health. 2008;5:203–205
  51. Ballard R, Habib A, Valodia I, et al. Globalisation, marginalization and contemporary social movements in South Africa. African Affairs. 2005;104(417):615–634
  52. Knight D. Health care screening for men who have sex with men. American Family Physician. 2004;69:2149–2156

PII: S0968-8080(09)33442-4

doi: 10.1016/S0968-8080(09)33442-4

Reproductive Health Matters
Volume 17, Issue 33 , Pages 133-142 , May 2009