Sexualised substance use (SSU) poses significant health risks within India’s marginalised MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) and TG (Transgender) communities, who already experience disproportionately high rates of HIV infection. Current statistics reveal an HIV prevalence of approximately 3.3% among MSM and 3.8% among transgender individuals, compared to just 0.22% in the general population. This disparity underscores the heightened vulnerability of these communities, who face HIV rates up to 17 times higher than the national average.

The SSU project builds on the strong foundation of the SAMARTH Programme, which over eight years successfully advanced community-led HIV screening and established treatment linkages for MSM, transgender, and hijra populations. SAMARTH’s impact in reducing new infections and fostering meaningful community engagement sets the stage for this targeted intervention, which has 4 implementing states- Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka and Manipur.

Project Objectives

• Awareness Raising – Strengthen understanding among community members and healthcare providers on SSU risks and prevention strategies.

• Capacity Building – Equip stakeholders with evidence-based tools and practices, with a strong focus on prevention education.

• Tool Development – Create frameworks to measure SSU-related risks, vulnerabilities, and harms, with prevention tools (condoms, lubricants, PEP, PrEP, HIV testing) as key indicators.

• Service Accessibility – Ensure prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services are accessible and tailored to community needs.

The project focuses on activities such as generating evidence on SSU risks and transmission patterns, engaging community members beyond existing interventions, providing essential health and support services, strengthening grassroots networks, standardising service delivery, raising awareness through advocacy, building the capacity of healthcare providers and outreach workers, and engaging policymakers to improve accessibility and protect community rights.