DOI: 10.7910/dvn/wc1nar
title: Romania (2009): Exploratory research to understand HIV positive MSMs in Romania

description: This study aims to gather data relating to the impact of HIV on MSMs and their lifestyle as well as the challenges they encounter. Specifically, the study objectives are to: Understand how being HIV positive affects their lifestyle: history of infection (some get infected as infants, others through sexual contact, some do not know), frequency of socializing, smoking, drinking, before and after getting HIV, whether they have changed their friends, how do they perceive their future, whether they make plans for the future, etc. Understand the impact of HIV on their relationships: how being positive changed their perception of relationships, how it affected their relationship with parents, what kind of partners do they look for, do they apply certain criteria when selecting partners, do they disclose their status, and if so, when and to whom, sero-discordant couple issues: strategies for preventing infection from one to the other, psychological and emotional issues between the two, supporting each other during health crisis. Determine the nature and kind of stigma/discrimination they face when accessing health care services: explore instances of discrimination/poor treatment as HIV positive MSMs when they accessed medical/other services. This is particularly relevant since many MSMs do not realize they are being discriminated against. Understand the double stigma they face, of being gay and positive, and how this affects their safe sex behavior/practice: what they think other MSMs think of them being positive, how this affects their decision to disclose their status, how they react to opinions that other MSMs have of them, what encourages them to disclose, to which type of partner, when and und
er what circumstances, the kind of trade-off involved in deciding to disclose, how this can be addressed, etc. Understand the kind and frequency of preventive behavior they follow: with different types of partners, in different sexual acts (anal/oral) and in different sexual postures (insertive/receptive), condom negotiations before the sexual intercourse, whether they have had unprotected sex knowing they are positive and why, etc. Between June and July of 2009 PSI Romania will conduct a qualitative study to gather information in the above mentioned areas. One-to-one depth interviews employing spoken narratives will be used to collect data. This method was chosen because it is uniquely designed to a) capture sensitive information in a manner that does not cause discomfort to respondents, and b) explore the breadth and depth of issues. This method was chosen for its ease of use and the rich data that emerge when study participants are given an opportunity to share their personal stories. Spoken narratives allow researchers (and marketers) to make an emotional connection with the target audience and help create a picture of the typical experience. Storytelling is a fundamental human way of relaying information, so data collection feels natural to both moderators and participants. The method is also relatively simple for inexperienced moderators to implement. Research consultants fluent in both English and the local language and with previous experience in interviewing MSMs will be selected and briefed on this study.