International Centre for Reproductive Health – Kenya (ICRHK), in partnership with Ghent University and the Belgium Horizons Program, implements the MSW Project in Mombasa with funding from the Population Council. The project combines both an intervention and a research component to holistically address the sexual and reproductive health needs of male sex workers (MSWs), a population often marginalized within healthcare systems.

The intervention aims to reduce stigma and improve access to services for MSWs while promoting positive behavior change. Key activities include the establishment of an MSW drop-in centre, training MSWs in peer education, building the counselling skills of MSW leaders, training medical practitioners in the treatment of MSW-specific sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and opportunistic infections, and distributing condoms.

The research component focuses on developing and testing a comprehensive intervention package to reduce HIV and STI risk among MSWs. The study objectives include:

• Assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a program tailored to the sexual and reproductive health needs of MSWs.
• Measuring the impact of the intervention on sexual risk behaviour and treatment-seeking practices.
• Evaluating the influence of the program on perceived stigma experienced by MSWs in healthcare settings.
• Strengthening the capacity and willingness of healthcare providers to deliver sensitive and appropriate HIV and STI services to MSWs.
• Contributing to a broader understanding of the context and realities of male sex work in Kenya.

Impact

• Established the first MSW drop-in centre in Mombasa, creating a safe and accessible space for health services.
• Trained MSWs as peer educators and MSW leaders in counselling skills, strengthening community-based support.
• Built the capacity of healthcare providers to deliver stigma-free HIV and STI services tailored to the needs of MSWs.
• Reached male sex workers with vital information on sexual and reproductive health, improving treatment-seeking behaviors.
• Reduced barriers to care while generating evidence that informed future policies and programs on MSW health in Kenya.