The prevalence of High-risk Behaviors and the Associated Infections among MSM in Benue State, Nigeria

Objective: High-risk behaviors among MSM have continually made this group susceptible to HIV and other STIs. Therefore, the study seeks to assess the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among MSM in Nigeria. Methodology: This quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey examined the high-risk behaviors among MSM. The study was conducted in the state's three local government areas using a multistage cluster sampling technique. Data collection was done using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire, and analysis was performed with IBM-SPSS version 25.0. Result: A significant number, 91.2% (114) of MSM in Benue State, had anal sex but mostly without protection, 75.2% (94). However, 108 (94.7%) used lubricants during anal sex, particularly those with multiple sexual partners (79, 63.2%). Also, 66 (52.8%) used/inject drugs. Sexual health was also challenging as 110 (88.0%) had been diagnosed with STIs. Most participants with STIs (118, 94.3%) said their sexual partner infected them. A substantial proportion, 16 (76.2%) of MSM aged 18-20 years, were using or injecting drugs, likewise those aged 21-25 years (14, 63.6%) (p