Why HIV spreads faster among gays

As the world marks the World Aids Day, the gay community in Kenya is at the centre of the theories about new HIV infections.

While there is a general concern over the high cases of new HIV infections among married couples, the fact that 60 per cent of men having sex with men (MSM) in Kenya are also having sex with women, appears to make them vulnerable to two sources of infection.

“These are married men, perhaps with a girlfriend, but are also involved in sexual relations with men,” explained David Kuria, manager of the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALK). The coalition brings together five homosexual groups.

Mr Kuria is also concerned that if programmes to fight Aids are not extended to gays, then, “the war against Aids in Kenya may be difficult to win.”

In some places the virus is circulating fast among married men in gay relationships. “They either bring the virus with them into their network and circulate it, or carry it from their network to their spouses and girlfriends,” Mr Kuria said.

Unlike Europe

Unlike Europe and America where there is a difference in the type of HIV virus among homosexuals and heterosexual, in Kenya, the same type is spreading among both. This means that there is a lot of inter-phase between the two, he added.

He cites a number of factors responsible, among them, lack of Aids programmes in Kenya that target sexual minorities.

“Without information, our people imagine they are not vulnerable to HIV. They have not seen anything that tells them they are at risk,” he explained.

This ignorance among most gays and lesbians leads to unprotected sex.

Mr Kuria says stigma and discrimination of homosexuals hinders them from getting medical treatment.

“Whenever gays are infected, many delay going to hospital. They resort to self-treatment, and only seek proper medical care when the illness is at an advanced stage,” he said. This, he added, posed a big challenge in prevention and control of HIV virus.

Also, the chances of acquiring the virus are higher among individuals who are not on ARVs. Discrimination, which prevents HIV positive homosexuals from seeking healthcare fuels the spread of the virus.

“In Nairobi the infection rate among married men is high as they actively interact among their network,” Mr Kuria said.

GALK, he said, was not interested in advancing the gay agenda or gay marriages as most people would think, “but to offer services to the homosexual community, something that cannot happen if it continues being criminalised.

“The definition that marriage should be between a man and a woman is clear and positive, but the government should add a clause that decriminalises homosexuality in Kenya,” Mr Kuria said and wants sections 162, 163 and 165 of the Penal Code repealed. “These sections hinder us from providing Aids healthcare and prevention services and items — condoms and lubricants — to the homosexual community.”

Safe networks

Flashing a brochure, titled “Safe sex for men having sex with men”, Mr Kuria says if he distributed it openly, he would be arrested and charged with aiding another person to commit a felony.

“We only distribute such information among “safe networks” (homosexual groups).

If we can offer services unique to members, then their Aids healthcare needs will be met. But as long as the law stands, the community will continue to die of Aids. However,” he added, “some colleagues have promised to influence legislation.”