AEGiS-14IAC: Sex tourism as potential contributor to transmission of HIV/AIDS; case study of boys who have sex with men in Ghana.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Sex tourism as potential contributor to transmission of HIV/AIDS; case study of boys who have sex with men in Ghana.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. TuOrE1206)

Coussey DA
West Africa AIDS Foundation, Accra, Ghana

ISSUES: At a daily infection rate of 200 people and a prevalence rate of 4.6%, the possibility that the newly emergent phenomenon of child sex tourism within Ghana's thriving tourism industry could be a potential contributor to the above given statistics, (which represents a predominantly heterosexual society) does exist. Socio-economic pressures compel boys to seek financial relief from 'tourist-host' rapport that encourages sexual contact. Boys who have sex with men tourists (BSM) for profit find themselves exposed to homosocial outlets due to lax child labor laws.

DESCRIPTION: This research was a preliminary assessment of homosocial environments in the tourist industry. Its objectives were to validate the existence of BSM in tourism circles, identify causal factors and the potential of this phenomenon to be a latent contributor to current prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS. Focus of research was on sexual behavior stemming from host-tourist encouters. This demanded enquiry into male-tourist sexual lifestyles during travel as well as male child homosexuality for commercial purposes; and comparative analysis on HIV/AIDS awareness appreciation among male tourists and boys to determine risk levels in contracting STI's and HIV/AIDS. These were carried out through the combined use of field observation, focus group discussion, interviews and questionnaires conducted between 20 male tourists and 25 BSM.

ISSUES: 57% of gay tourists respondents made provision for possible sexual contact. This apparent preparedness was refuted by BSM. Use of condom was reliant on customer. All 25 BSM were familiar with basics on AIDS and its fatality. 20% of them had no idea whatsoever on STI's. Insertive and receptive anal sex was the norm.

RECOMMENDATIONS: To advocate against active participation of boy labor in the tourism industry. And to administer target-specifc services ie. counselling and treatment for STI's, peer education and voluntary testing for HIV/AIDS among BSM.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Condoms, Coitus, Homosexuality, Male, Sex Behavior, Prevalence, Homosexuality, Travel, Heterosexuality, Ghana, Human, Male, Child, transmission

020707
TuOrE1206