Viral Suppression among Men Who Have Sex with Men Living With HIV on Risk Reduction Interventions in Mvita Sub-County, Mombasa County, Kenya

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare viral load suppression levels among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV who were put on risk reduction interventions versus a control group in Mvita sub-county, Mombasa County, Kenya between December 2020 and June 2021. Methodology: A quasi-experimental study design using quantitative methods was conducted among MSM living with HIV from December 2020 to June 2021. The study involved a questionnaire and various laboratory investigations. The respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to obtain the sample of respondents. A total of 114 HIV positive MSM completed the study and were all subjected to a battery of tests. Blood was drawn for alcohol, syphilis, hepatitis B, and viral load tests, while urine was used to screen for drugs and gonorrhoea. Half (57) of the HIV positive MSM were actively followed and risk reduction interventions such as adherence to ARVs, general counselling, and HIV prevention measures such as prompt treatment of STI/OI and condom use were offered after every 2 months. The control group (57) received no risk reduction interventions. Thereafter, both groups were asked to respond to a questionnaire. Since the study was carried out during COVID-19, the risk reduction interventions were conducted over the phone to minimize transmission. Log-binomial univariate and the multivariate regression analysis model was used to identify the variables which were associated with undetectable viral load. Undetectable viral load was defined as having an HIV viral load of less than 50 copies/ml. Data generated from the questionnaires were collected, cleaned, coded and analysed using STATA software, Version 17. Level of significance was fixed at 5% (95% confidence interval). Findings: Majority of MSM living with HIV were between 19-20 years and 49% were actively followed by the researcher and received risk reduction interventions while 54% were in the control group. However, the baseline demographic characteristics were not significantly different (all p>0.05). MSM in the control group who were neither Christian nor Muslim (11%) and had a lower income (35%), were likely to have detectable viral load. However, MSM who had a higher income in both groups (1.8%), were likely to have undetectable viral load. MSM in the control group, who reported ever use of PEP/PrEP (44%), were likely to have detectable viral load while MSM who received interventions, who reported condom break more than once during anal sex (61%), who had more than one regular anal sex partner (61% both groups), and those who drunk more than 2 bottles of beer (33% both groups) were likely to have undetectable viral load. However, MSM who received interventions but used non-prescribed injectables drugs 1 to 2 times in a week (15%), were likely to have detectable viral load. MSM in the control group who reported being always high on alcohol during anal sex (19%), were likely to have detectable viral load but those chewing muguka (type of khat) (79%) were likely to have undetectable viral load. MSM who received interventions who reported feeling uneasy while seeking health services (75%), had detectable viral load while those in the control group who attended private clinics (42%), had undetectable viral load. Overall, after six months, the proportion of MSM achieving viral load suppression was significantly higher in the intervention group as compared to control group by 60% (95% CI 49‒70)), p-value < 0.001. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study found out that majority of HIV positive MSM who received risk reduction intervention, had undetectable viral load as compared to those in the control group. HIV viral suppression is the desirable outcome for MSM on ART, since once achieved, MSM cannot transmit the virus to their sex partners. The Government/NGO should encourage peer-led HIV services to run the HIV programmes involving MSM with other stakeholders. Thus, many MSM will be able to access the HIV services where their needs will be addressed and supported in a non-judgemental environment.