Five different ways of reasoning: Tanzanian healthcare workers’ ideas about how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men
Abstract Background Same-sex attracted men in Tanzania and globally carry a disproportionate burden of HIV. Drawing on qualitative research, this article explores healthcare providers’ ideas and recommendations regarding how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men. Methods We carried...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09771-3 |
| _version_ | 1797769561599115264 |
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| author | Alexander Mwijage Ishungisa Elia John Mmbaga Melkizedeck Thomas Leshabari Britt Pinkowski Tersbøl Kåre Moen |
| author_facet | Alexander Mwijage Ishungisa Elia John Mmbaga Melkizedeck Thomas Leshabari Britt Pinkowski Tersbøl Kåre Moen |
| author_sort | Alexander Mwijage Ishungisa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Same-sex attracted men in Tanzania and globally carry a disproportionate burden of HIV. Drawing on qualitative research, this article explores healthcare providers’ ideas and recommendations regarding how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men. Methods We carried out a qualitative study among healthcare workers in the cities of Dar es Salaam and Tanga in Tanzania between August 2018 and October 2019. Data were collected using qualitative methods of data collection, specifically in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation. Study participants were recruited through a purposive sampling strategy that aimed to ensure variation in age, education, and work experience. Forty-eight interviews with 24 healthcare workers, six focus group discussions, and participant observation were conducted. A total of 64 persons participated in the study. Results This paper describes five different “ways of reasoning” that were identified among healthcare workers regarding how to strengthen HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men. One held that punitive measures should be taken to prevent HIV transmission, another that health services needed to become more friendly towards men who have sex with men, a third that healthcare workers should reach out to provide more education to this population, a fourth called for strengthened collaboration between healthcare providers and same-sex attracted men in healthcare delivery, and the fifth proposed that activistic efforts be taken to remove structural barriers for same-sex attracted men to access healthcare. Conclusion When reflecting on what is needed to strengthen HIV prevention among men who have sex with men, healthcare workers described six different ideas. One was that restrictive and punitive measures ought to be taken to prevent HIV transmission through same-sex sex. The remaining five promoted understanding of and support for same-sex attracted men. They prescribed more healthcare education, measures to improve attitudes among healthcare workers, healthcare delivery with user involvement, and political action to achieve law reform. Finally, some study participants raised concerns about the implementation of the national comprehensive package for key populations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T21:10:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-41c18226dd6449779f944b5995e2e143 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T21:10:50Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-41c18226dd6449779f944b5995e2e1432023-07-30T11:10:40ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632023-07-0123111010.1186/s12913-023-09771-3Five different ways of reasoning: Tanzanian healthcare workers’ ideas about how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted menAlexander Mwijage Ishungisa0Elia John Mmbaga1Melkizedeck Thomas Leshabari2Britt Pinkowski Tersbøl3Kåre Moen4Department of Behavioural Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)Department of Behavioural Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)Department of Behavioural Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)Department of Public Health, Global Health Section, University of CopenhagenDepartment of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of OsloAbstract Background Same-sex attracted men in Tanzania and globally carry a disproportionate burden of HIV. Drawing on qualitative research, this article explores healthcare providers’ ideas and recommendations regarding how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men. Methods We carried out a qualitative study among healthcare workers in the cities of Dar es Salaam and Tanga in Tanzania between August 2018 and October 2019. Data were collected using qualitative methods of data collection, specifically in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation. Study participants were recruited through a purposive sampling strategy that aimed to ensure variation in age, education, and work experience. Forty-eight interviews with 24 healthcare workers, six focus group discussions, and participant observation were conducted. A total of 64 persons participated in the study. Results This paper describes five different “ways of reasoning” that were identified among healthcare workers regarding how to strengthen HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men. One held that punitive measures should be taken to prevent HIV transmission, another that health services needed to become more friendly towards men who have sex with men, a third that healthcare workers should reach out to provide more education to this population, a fourth called for strengthened collaboration between healthcare providers and same-sex attracted men in healthcare delivery, and the fifth proposed that activistic efforts be taken to remove structural barriers for same-sex attracted men to access healthcare. Conclusion When reflecting on what is needed to strengthen HIV prevention among men who have sex with men, healthcare workers described six different ideas. One was that restrictive and punitive measures ought to be taken to prevent HIV transmission through same-sex sex. The remaining five promoted understanding of and support for same-sex attracted men. They prescribed more healthcare education, measures to improve attitudes among healthcare workers, healthcare delivery with user involvement, and political action to achieve law reform. Finally, some study participants raised concerns about the implementation of the national comprehensive package for key populations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09771-3Same-sex attracted menHealthcare workersHealthcare servicesHIVAccess to careKey Populations |
| spellingShingle | Alexander Mwijage Ishungisa Elia John Mmbaga Melkizedeck Thomas Leshabari Britt Pinkowski Tersbøl Kåre Moen Five different ways of reasoning: Tanzanian healthcare workers’ ideas about how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men BMC Health Services Research Same-sex attracted men Healthcare workers Healthcare services HIV Access to care Key Populations |
| title | Five different ways of reasoning: Tanzanian healthcare workers’ ideas about how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men |
| title_full | Five different ways of reasoning: Tanzanian healthcare workers’ ideas about how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men |
| title_fullStr | Five different ways of reasoning: Tanzanian healthcare workers’ ideas about how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men |
| title_full_unstemmed | Five different ways of reasoning: Tanzanian healthcare workers’ ideas about how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men |
| title_short | Five different ways of reasoning: Tanzanian healthcare workers’ ideas about how to improve HIV prevention among same-sex attracted men |
| title_sort | five different ways of reasoning tanzanian healthcare workers ideas about how to improve hiv prevention among same sex attracted men |
| topic | Same-sex attracted men Healthcare workers Healthcare services HIV Access to care Key Populations |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09771-3 |
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