Twenty pc of Mumbai's gay men are HIV+. Humsafar

[Guest guest]

Twenty pc of Mumbai's gay men are HIV+

By: Shibu , May 18, 2004.

A first-of-its-kind study conducted among 240 homosexual men in the

city by Humsafar, an organisation for gay people, and the Indian

Market Research Bureau has shown that around 17 to 20 per cent of gay

men in Mumbai are HIV positive.

But, the good news is that, over the last four years these numbers

have remained stable. The study was presented at a seminar on Friday.

" The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of

people towards HIV and AIDS, " said Vivek Anand, CEO of Humsafar. " It

also attempted to assess the sexual behaviour and practices of the

community, which will help in preparing intervention programmes. "

Anand points to the success of awareness campaigns, " In the first

study carried out in 2000, most of the gay men reported at least 11

partners in a month, which has come down to four in 2004. "

The study also found that while 92 per cent of the men knew where to

get condoms, only 12 to 16 per cent used condoms during oral sex with

a man.

Raising concern, the study showed that 27 per cent of the gay men

were married and 47 per cent also reported that they had had sex with

a female partner in the last month.

Ashok Row Kavi, Humsafar's founder, said, " There is a need to bring

married men, who have sex with men (MSM), into the fold of healthy

sexual behaviour. "

Kavi also roots for change in perception of condom usage. " Condoms

not only protect people from sexually transmitted diseases and HIV,

but also enhance sexual pleasure. "

However, Farid Karmali, a doctor who's been involved in treating HIV

patients, disagrees with the survey.

" I don't agree with it. If this was true, we would have seen a huge

number of gay men getting sick and dying. I haven't come across any

gay men with AIDS, " he said.

Vikram, a homosexual, said, " I am glad they are doing this (survey)

in Mumbai. But the figures might be deceptive because they are

testing a high-risk group within the community. "

Study's results

• 70 per cent of the gay men are born and brought up in Mumbai.

• 60 per cent work in private / government firms, 17 per cent were

self employed, 8 per cent were students and 3 per cent were

commercial sex workers.

• Knowledge about HIV and AIDs was as high as 96 per cent and over 98

per cent knew that the HIV virus could be transmitted through sex

without condoms.

• Average number of sexual partners in a month is 4

• 92 per cent met sexual partners at cruising sites, and 56 per cent

through friends.

• 69 per cent met their partners at public toilets, and 81 per cent

at local railway stations.

• 70 per cent had sex at a friend's place.

• Condom usage during oral sex was as low as 12 to 16 per cent,

insertive anal sex (16 per cent), receptive anal sex (76 per cent),

and sex with a female partner (34 per cent).

http://ww1.mid-day.com/news/city/2004/may/83502.htm