Study title

Despite the disproportionate burden of HIV being carried by same-sex practicing men in many African countries, HIV prevention programming targeting such men is still scant. However, in Dar es Salaam a nascent grassroots organizing against HIV and for health and rights is currently emerging. If successful, this kind of organizing may have the potential to play a significant role for HIV prevention. Building on previous research among MSM in Dar es Salaam and using a set of complementary qualitative research methods, this project generated new knowledge about the ongoing evolvement of community-based HIV- and rights-related work among MSM. The study focused on how community-based groups strategize and work, the ways in which they manage to engage and involve a diverse population of MSM in HIV prevention, the ways in which they may achieve contact and collaboration with the 'mainstream HIV establishment', and the ways in which the ongoing work may lead to adjustment or adoption of practices that provide added protection or harm reduction with respect to HIV. The postdoctoral candidate joined one or more of the mentioned groups as a participant, and at the same time, with group members as co-investigators, studied the processes community-based actors go through as they debate, formulate, implement and evaluate community-based activities. The study also employed dialogical interviews (with MSM, 'mainstream' HIV actors and other key informants), group discussions, and media monitoring. The project was carried out in collaboration between the University of Oslo and the Muhimbili University. It contributed to a strengthening of research capacity and competence both in a Norwegian and a Tanzanian university. A third institution with an exceptional international standing also joined the collaboration: the National Centre in HIV Social Research in Sydney, where the postdoctoral candidate was a visiting researcher for 6 months. Data based on participating observations and...