Secret lives, other voices... : a community-based study exploring male-to-male sex, gender identity and HIV transmission risks in Fiji

In Fiji, very little is known about the social and sexual behaviours of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender (TS) persons and how they relate to HIV risk and access HIV prevention services. Although global and regional evidence show that these communities are at higher risk of HIV infection, a well informed and appropriate strategy for this population is lacking. To address this situation and contribute to ongoing national and regional efforts to better respond to HIV and STI (sexually transmitted infection), the AIDS Task Force of Fiji (ATFF) -with technical expertise provided by the New South Wales AIDS Council (ACON), Sydney, Australia and support from the UNDP regional programme- has conducted a research-action project exploring male to male sex, gender identity and HIV transmission risk in urban Fiji. The project recently completed is the first research engaging MSM and TS people in Fiji since 1998 that fully involves the community.