Background
Globally men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) encounter many negative experiences when accessing health services compared to the general population. Stigma, discrimination, and punitive laws against same-sex relationships in some sub-Saharan African countries have made MSM and TGW more prone to depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, non-communicable diseases, and HIV. None of the prior studies in Rwanda on MSM and TGW had explored their lived experience in accessing the health services. Accordingly, this study aimed at exploring the healthcare-seeking experiences of MSM and TGW in Rwanda.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 16 MSM and 12 TGW, using purposive and snowball sampling approach in 5 districts in Rwanda. Results were summarized using thematic analysis approach.
Results
Four main themes emerged from the study: 1) The healthcare experiences of MSM & TGW were generally dissatisfactory, 2) MSM & TGW generally hesitate to seek care unless they were severely ill, 3) More services specialized in addressing MSM & TGW’s needs are necessary, and 4) Advocacy and awareness for and among MSM & TGW communities are needed.
Conclusion
Rwandan MSM and TGW continue to face negative experiences within the healthcare delivery settings. These experiences include mistreatment, refusal of care, stigma, and discrimination. Provision of services for MSM and TGW, and on-the-job training cultural competence in the care of MSM and TGW patients is needed. Including the same training in the medical and health sciences curriculum was recommended. Furthermore, awareness and sensitization campaigns to improve the understanding of the existence of MSM and TGW and to foster acceptance of gender and sexual diversity in society are necessary.