Dataset Information

A qualitative study to explore the healthcare-seeking experiences of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Rwanda.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Globally, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) encounter many challenging experiences when accessing health services compared to the general population. Stigma, discrimination, and punitive laws against same-sex relationships in some sub-Saharan African countries have made MSM and TGW more prone to depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, non-communicable diseases, and HIV. None of the prior studies in Rwanda on MSM and TGW had explored their lived experience in accessing health services. Accordingly, this study aimed at exploring the healthcare-seeking experiences of MSM and TGW in Rwanda.

Methods

This study utilized a qualitative research method employing a phenomenological design. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 MSM and 12 TGW. Participants were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling approaches in five districts in Rwanda."

Results

Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Three main themes emerged from the study: (1) The healthcare experiences of MSM and TGW were generally dissatisfactory, (2) MSM and TGW hesitated to seek care unless they were severely ill, (3) MSM and TGW's perspectives on how to improve their health-seeking behavior.

Conclusion

MSM and TGW in Rwanda continue to face negative experiences within the healthcare delivery settings. These experiences include mistreatment, refusal of care, stigma, and discrimination. Provision of services for MSM and TGW and On-the-job cultural competence training in the care of MSM and TGW patients is needed. Including the same training in the medical and health sciences curriculum is recommended. Furthermore, awareness and sensitization campaigns to improve the understanding of the existence of MSM and TGW and to foster acceptance of gender and sexual diversity in society are necessary.

SUBMITTER: Isano S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10045920 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

A qualitative study to explore the healthcare-seeking experiences of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Rwanda.

Isano Sandra S Yohannes Tsion T Igihozo Gloria G Ndatinya Grace Iliza GI Wong Rex R

BMC health services research 20230328 1

<h4>Background</h4>Globally, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) encounter many challenging experiences when accessing health services compared to the general population. Stigma, discrimination, and punitive laws against same-sex relationships in some sub-Saharan African countries have made MSM and TGW more prone to depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, non-communicable diseases, and HIV. None of the prior studies in Rwanda on MSM and TGW had ...[more]

PMID: 36978054

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Dataset Information

A qualitative study to explore the healthcare-seeking experiences of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Rwanda.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

A qualitative study to explore the healthcare-seeking experiences of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Rwanda.

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