Conflict of Interest “No conflicts of interest to declare”.

Slogan: Men who have sex with Men's’ Health is the Nation’s Health Providing Stigma Free Services To Men Who Have Sex with Men in Kenya” A Healthcare Worker Perspective Stella Wanjiru Chege Nurse Counsellor MPEG Kenya Slogan: Men who have sex with Men's’ Health is the Nation’s Health

Outline HIV among MSM in Kenya MPEG Why key populations should receive stigma-free services Practical experiences Final thoughts

HIV among MSM in Kenya HIV prevalence of 18.2% and 11.1% among MSM (Nairobi and Kisumu, respectively) – IBBS, 2010-2011 The Kenya HIV response and modes of transmission study (KMoT 2009) shows that MSM account for about 15% of new infections. MSM are hesitant to access services for fear of being stigmatized and discriminated against by healthcare workers and this further exposes them to an increased risk of contracting HIV.

MPEG MPEG is an MSM-led organization established in 2010 and legally registered as Mambo Peers Empowerment Group in 2014. Advocates for human rights, promotes SRH, referral for security interventions, psychosocial support and socioeconomic support for MSM and the LGBT community at large. Started providing HIV prevention and care services in 2016 through the support of the PEPFAR/USAID-funded FHI 360 LINKAGES project.

Why key populations should receive stigma-free services? Basic human rights In order to achieve the 90-90-90 goal MPEG recognizes the impact S&D has on reducing access to HIV prevention, care and treatment services and SRH. Therefore, MPEG is committed to providing an environment free from prejudice regardless of the tribe, HIV status, age, and sexual orientation of those seeking services.

Practices experiences as a Nurse Counselor Importance of separating personal and religious values from professional ethics for the sake of HIV prevention in Kenya. Accompany the MSM to access other services that are not offered in our DIC. Providing quality health education and counseling to MSM patients is integral to HIV prevention efforts. Most MSM engage in risky behaviors due to poverty and lack of power to negotiate safer sex, as a counsellor I have come up with a strategy of bringing them together and planning to start a support group amongst themselves.

Impact of providing stigma-free services Number of MSM accessing services has increased HIV treatment adherence among those that are HIV positive has increased Reduction in the rate of default and loss-to-follow-up

Final thoughts Key populations deserve to receive services in a stigma-free environment Healthcare providers need to be trained in providing these services Increase access to services Without providing services that are free of stigma, the 90-90-90 goal will not be achieved

Thank You