Résumé
ContextMen who have sex with men (MSM) in Senegal face a challenging socio-legal context, marked by homophobia and the illegality of homosexuality. In addition, HIV prevalence among MSM is 27.6%, 46 times greater than the one in the general population.MethodsThis article describes the caregiver/MSM relationship and analyses its effects on access to healthcare by MSM. The data used are from a field survey based on observations and interviews conducted in 2019 and 2020 with 16 MSM and 10 caregivers in Dakar and Mbour hospitals. The data was subject to a thematic analysis assisted by the software Atlas.Ti.ResultsThe relationship between MSM and carers is ambiguous. Caregivers are torn between their professional duty to treat MSM and the cost of being stigmatised by other colleagues so they often limit their empathy with MSM within the hospital context. MSM, trusting in the confidentiality of caregivers feel safe in the care facilities but are afraid to be seen by others. Stigmatising factors limiting access to care include : (1) fear of meeting a relative, (2) difficult relationships with technical support staff (mainly security guards), (3) HIV status disclosure and (4) potential conflicts with other MSM.ConclusionThe hospital is divided into several areas of stigmatisation. It is important to map out the MSM in their care trajectories and spaces, identify all types of staff working within them, including technical staff to enroll them in stigma reduction interventions.