IdentificaciÛn y caracterizaciÛn de modos de discriminaciÛn hacia grupos con riesgo de enfermedades de transmisiÛn sexual Identification and Characterization of Forms of Discrimination against Groups at Risk for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Background : stigma and discrimination against men who have sex with men are among the major obstacles to preventing new infections and providing treatment to people living with human immunodeficiency virus. Objective : to identify and characterize levels and forms of discrimination against men who have sex with men. Methods : a retrospective study was conducted in six municipalities of the province of Cienfuegos during 2009-2010 as a result of the Section of stigma and discrimination included in the Survey on human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS Prevention Indicators. Sociodemographic variables, discrimination index and level of discrimination were analyzed, the latter by CONSHSH and NIVELHSH constructs, respectively. Results: acceptance of men who have sex with men predominated, although three levels of discrimination were identified in 34.5% of the respondents; medium and high levels prevailed in 98% of them. Thirty to 34% of the respondents expressed rejection, 21.5 % of them were men. Factors contributing to discrimination were related to the institutional context and the family environment. Conclusions : a slight decrease in the percentage of cases rejecting men who have sex with men was observed in 2010 compared to 2009, therefore a trend toward increasing acceptance of these people is expected, which is consistent with the results obtained at the national level.