Negotiating Positive Living: a 10-Country Study by APN+ on Issues Facing HIV-Positive MSM in the Asia Pacific

Evidence shows that the HIV epidemic among MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) is well established and increasing. While some actions are now being put in place to address prevention amongst MSM, there has been little work done on the issues for MSM who are already positive. To fulfil this gap, community-based organisations of positive people linked to the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV (APN+) through a participatory research methodology, learned to design and implement a study to explore the issues affecting positive MSM in the region. 17 focus group discussions were peer-led in 10 countries: Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and Vietnam. In total 124 positive MSM (including 21 transgender) participated in discussions conducted in local language. Findings suggest an emerging pattern that HIV has had a profound effect on positive MSM’s sense of self and relationship with others.