Epidemiological data shows that gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men are 24 times more likely to acquire HIV than adults in the general population. Punitive laws, policies and practices, violence, stigma and discrimination continue to hamper HIV prevention, treatment, care and support among MSM in many countries around the word. In line with UNDP’s HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016 – 2021: Connecting the Dots and the series of implementation tools focusing on improving services for key HIV populations and reducing inequalities and exclusion, UNDP has contributed to “Implementing Comprehensive HIV and STI Programmes with Men Who Have Sex with Men: Practical Guidance for Collaborative Interventions”.  Commonly referred to “MSMIT”, this tool presents concrete steps that public health officials, health workers and civil society can use to implement HIV and STI programmes for men who have sex with men. MSMIT was developed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and The Global Forum on MSM and HIV (MSMGF), together with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, PEPFAR, UNAIDS, UNDP, USAID, WHO.

The tool covers community empowerment, addressing violence against men who have sex with men, condom and lubricant programming, delivering health care services, integrating information and communication technology, programme management. MSMIT contains case examples of promising practices drawn from programmes around the world.