FPA India Mumbai Branch

SPANDAN - ‘Men having Sex with Men’ (MSM) Project

The Branch made efforts to create MSM friendly space at Planned Parenthood Centre in Bandra–Kurla Complex. This project integrates HIV/AIDS into regular SRH services with financial support from Japan Trust Fund for HIV/AIDS and technical support from South Asia Regional Office of International Planned Parenthood Federation.

Target Population covered were 539 (478 MSM, 9 IDU users, 17 FSW, 3 PLHIVs & 32 Male SWs); 186 accessed clinic services, 78 clients were referred for SRH & HIV related services,30 families of key population (KPs) with spouse accessed clinic services, 89 were counseled on STI / HIV, 3 PLHIVs were identified and 9378 condoms were distributed.
After repeated visits to DIC and undergoing counselling some of the KPs gained confidence, five revealed that they were MSM and started following safer sex practices; one of them also revealed that he was HIV +ve and was counselled and referred to Nair Hospital for further support; seven revealed that they had been married and four visited the DIC along with their wives; two spoke to their mothers about their MSM status and came to DIC with their mothers.
The project trained 7 key population beneficiaries in computer skills and two of these got jobs in private enterprises.
IPPF prepared a documentary based on interviews with KPs, addressing their SRH needs and of their family members.