Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)

Most men in South Africa tend to fall outside the public healthcare system for a variety of reasons. In relation specifically to HIV this tends to mean men are only ‘seen’ when they are already very sick. Hence the clear need to target all men to test and know their status.

Over and above this need in the general population, men who have sex with men are at high risk of HIV infection and transmission. While many MSM identify as gay, there are also many MSM who identify as heterosexual.

Anova’s research in Johannesburg and Cape Town shows that more than one in three MSM tested HIV positive - and one in ten South African men will have sex with other men at some point. MSM report abuse and discrimination at all levels of the healthcare sector. 

Anova supports MSM health services via its Health4Men project.