Emerging healthcare issues and needs of young MSM & TG in India: needs assessment from multi-stakeholders perspective

Results a) Problems: young MSMs & TGs engage in unprotected anal intercourse (80.9%), risk sex with people unknown of their HIV status (66%), drug and tobacco (59.6%) and alcohol consumption (55.3%). All participants perceived that MSM & TGs don’t use condoms consistently. They also experience mental health problems like anxiety and depression (80.9%). b) Associated factors: QDA outlined following major factors for engagement with health risk behaviours: i) criminalization of homosexuality; ii) social alienation, lack of social/familial support and poor acceptance; iii) psychological trauma, loneliness; iv) lack of knowledge about safe sex & STDs; v) problems forming a coherent self-identity; vi) fear of losing partner and inability to maintain stable relationship; vii) condoms as barriers in pleasure and engagement for thrill and viii) poor selfesteem and peer-pressure; ix) financial needs.