Background Like many African countries, the issue of sex between men in Burkina Faso remains taboo and is often the cause of social exclusion. Our objective in this study was to determine social and behavioural characteristics and seroprevalence of HIV infection among MSM in Ouagadougou.

Methods A questionnaire (closed questions) written by the medical team at Centre Oasis" was submitted to the MSM. Our sample of 92 consisted of MSM who frequented the center and some who did not. Data were collected by medical staff and peer educators. They were: -Social, -Behavioural, -The results of HIV serology.

Results The average age of MSM surveyed was 28.6 years with extremes of 18 and 56 years. MSM were predominantly students with a proportion of 34.8%. 21.7% were traders, 2.2% were unemployed. More than half of respondents were single (54.8%). 22.8% were living with a common-law wife, and 20.7% were legally married. 78.3% of MSM had had sex with a woman. 2 / 3 of all MSM (65.2%) were bisexual. In 90.2% of cases, the MSM used condoms two out of three times during sexual intercourse0.77.2% of MSM used water-based gels two out of three times during sexual intercourse. The majority of MSM (82, 6%) had more than one sexual partner. In 82.1%, none of the MSM had discussed their situation with their family for fear of being rejected. Of 55 MSM who had had an HIV test, 8 had been diagnosed positive for HIV giving a prevalence of 14.5%.

Conclusion In our study, it appears that the MSM community in Ouagadougou is highly vulnerable given the high rate of HIV seroprevalence and its marginalisation. Targeted interventions for the recognition ofsupport are needed to help sustain the achievements of the national fight against HIV.