In India, the HIV epidemic is concentrated among key populations, such as the MSMs. Conventional targeted interventions mitigate HIV transmission by focusing on physical hotspots. As there is a shift within the MSM community to connect with sex partners online, novel approaches are needed to map virtual platforms where sexual networks are formed. This study estimates the number of MSM in Delhi using virtual platforms to connect for sex and to describe patterns of their use.
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This report shares a key evidence from a mapping & size estimation effort that reveals how a significant number of MSMs in the Delhi NCT are on multiple virtual platforms. It also highlights that not many of them have been contacted by conventional Targeted Interventions. This establishes the need & opportunity for a specially-designed virtual intervention to reach out to the MSM population with HIV prevention, treatment and care services.
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IHAT, in collaboration with DSACS conducted a ‘Virtual Mapping’ exercise to generate estimates of the population size of Men who have Sex with Men (MSMs) active on virtual platforms in Delhi. This document provides a detailed methodology on estimating the size of MSMs active on virtual platforms. Virtual Mapping can become a critical step to develop a comprehensive HIV intervention to reach and provide access to MSMs on virtual platforms.
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