Nakimwero, Rashida2017-05-162017-05-162016-11306.766096761 NAK2013-BSCPH-PT-013http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1081Abstract.Globally 5 % to 10% of all HIV infections are thought to be among men who have sex with men (MSM) and in many high income countries like US, anal sexual intercourse remain the most significant HIV transmission route. MSM account for 63% of new HIV infection and yet they constitute only 4% of the general population in the United States (Baral et al, 2007). The level of uptake of STI services among Men who have SEX with Men in Uganda remains low. In Uganda STI/HIV continues to be a serious public health problem leading to morbidity and mortality across the country (MoH, 2013). MSM are among the worst affected by the infection with a prevalence of 13.7% of HIV which is more than the prevalence among the general population in Uganda at 7.2% ( UNAIDS, 2014). Therefore this study seeks to determine the factors influencing the uptake of STI services among MSMS in Ggabe parish Makindye division. This was a cross-sectional study involving 182 MSM who were selected using snow balling sampling techniques. The level of uptake of STI/HIV services was low among MSM at 38%. Among those who utilized the STI/HIV services, the services utilized by the MSM included STI/HIV screening, STI/HIV treatment, counseling, condoms and lubricants. Socio-economic factors such as age (X²=11.342, p=0.001), level of education (8.231, p=0.015), average income (X²=9.598, 0.021) and being denied health care services (X²=9.432, p=0.011) were found to have a statistically significant association (p<0.05) with the uptake of STI/HIV among MSM. A significant proportion of the MSM had a low level of knowledge as regards STI/HIV services. Health facility factors such as lack of skilled health workers (X²=6.566, p=0.041), lack of privacy at the health facility (X²=8.354, p=0.016), attitude of health workers (X²=9.255, p=0.015) and cost of STI/HIV services (X²=12.966, p=0.002) were found to have a statistically significant association (p<0.05) with the utilization STI/HIV services. The government and other development partners should conduct sensitization among MSM so as to create awareness through mass media on STI/HIV services for MSM. Health workers should provide information to MSM about STI/HIV such as how they can contract the diseases and prevention strategies.enHomosexuals -- Uptake of HIV Services -- UgandaThesis