Abstract
The prevalence of HIV in Ghana is 1.3%, compared to 17% among men who have sex with men
(MSM). There is limited empirical data on the current health care climate and its impact on HIV prevention services
for Ghanaian MSM. The purposes of this study were to investigate (1) MSM’s experiences using HIV prevention
resources, (2) what factors, including health care climate factors, influenced MSM’s use of prevention resources and
(3) MSM self-identified strategies for improving HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention among MSM in
Ghanaian communities.
Methods: We conducted 22 focus groups (n = 137) with peer social networks of MSM drawn from three geographic
communities in Ghana (Accra, Kumasi, Manya Krobo). The data were examined using qualitative content analysis.
Interviews with individual health care providers were also conducted to supplement the analysis of focus group findings
to provide more nuanced illuminations of the experiences reported by MSM...