[Men who have sex with men (MSM) and HIV infection in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: Knowledge, attitudes, practices and seroprevalence survey]

Like many African countries, the issue of sex between men in Burkina Faso remains taboo and sometimes result in social exclusion. This population which is vulnerable to HIV/AIDS is unknown, due to lack of scientific researches.Our study aimed to characterize knowledge, attitudes and sexual practices and to estimate HIV seroprevalence among men having sex with men (MSM) living in Ouagadougou.A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to describe and analyze MSM living in Ouagadougou. They were recruited by snowball sampling, aged at least 18 years, and accepted to participate at the study. Data were collected by qualified interviewers through administered questionnaire face to face. HIV test was systematically proposed.A total of 142 MSM were recruited during the study period. The sample was mostly composed of students or pupils (60.8%), single men (91%), with age range 18-30 years (96.5%). The HIV knowledge median score was 8/10. HIV seroprevalence was 8.9% (4.5-15.4).Our study confirms the vulnerability of MSM living in Ouagadougou about HIV/AIDS given the high rate of HIV seroprevalence. Targeted interventions for prevention, care and scientific research are challenges for the authorities to sustain the achievements of the national fight against HIV and AIDS.