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Men who have sex with men are highly vulnerable to HIV/STI infection. The 2002 formative research by Horizons and ICRH revealed there are active Male sex workers in Mombasa and its environs and are increasing numbers and visibility. A capture- re-capture enumeration carried out early 2006 estimated over 739 MSW in Mombasa. Feedback from MSW indicated MSW are at high risk of HIV/STI infection and transmission due to their risky behaviours of multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use, and poor knowledge of STI prevention and high alcohol and drug use. Since the existing HIV/STI prevention programs have failed to reach MSW with information about MSW-specific prevention strategies, the intervention program overall objective was to address the sexual health needs of MSW within a highly stigmatizing and discriminatory environment and promote behaviour change among this population. 

ICRH Mombasa coordinates the new EDCTP Project: Novel biomarkers to measure safety of microbicides Products used in a number of recent microbicide trials have turned up unexpected safety results. There is a need for more reliable safety biomarkers for phase I and II vaginal microbicide trials. Better understanding and measurement is needed of the effect of substances introduced in the vaginal environment. The project will study a variety of African female target populations in four African settings to identify and improve both clinical and laboratory methods and findings in search of more reliable safety biomarkers. The consortium offers the combination of multidisciplinary experience and cutting-edge technology to make this possible.

A large proportion of HIV infected persons - ranging from an estimated 15% to over 50% in EU countries - are unaware of their infection, and therefore do not benefit from treatment and may transmit HIV to others, unknowingly. There is evidence that many opportunities are being missed to diagnose HIV infections in EU countries, particularly in health care settings. ECDC has commissioned ICRH to carry out a study on HIV testing policies, practices and barriers to HIV testing in the EU Member States.

Sex workers are commonly targeted for STI/HIV prevention interventions, but less attention has been directed toward sex workers’ contraceptive needs although they are at high risk of unintended pregnancy.  In addition to the health benefits of preventing unintended pregnancies, provision of contraceptive services to sex workers not desiring pregnancy is a means to reduce the number of unintended HIV positive births. This study identifies the contraceptive needs of Kenyan sex workers and the potential strategies for better meeting those needs.

The project called 'Integrated Network Combating HIV/AIDS' is a project in Mozambique, funded by the Flemish International Cooperation Agency and implemented by four partners: The Provincial  Health Department of Tete, 'Médecins sans frontières'-Belgium, the Institute of Tropical Medicine and ICRH. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the provincial health system to deliver quality HIV/AIDS services. ICRH is responsible for strenghtening the PMTCT and STI care programmes, as well as the provision of reproductive health services to vulnerable populations at high-risk and capacity building of the provincial health authorities.

This project aims at enhancing the implementation of criminal and child protection laws on female genital mutilation in the EU.

This study assessed health-related needs of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who are not taking ARVs in Mombasa since there is little clarity on what happens to treatment-naïve HIV positive persons not accessing care and treatment services. This information is needed for the development of effective prevention services with positive people in the community. The study seeks to address the information gap with regard to identifying and accessing treatment-naïve HIV positive persons in the community. It explores attitudes, knowledge and access to prevention messages, sexual risk behaviours, stigma and discrimination amongst the treatment-naïve HIV positive people

This project aims at organising a training of trainers programme in Gaarowe in Somalia.

The study prepares two sites (in Kigali and Mombasa) for Phase I, II and III clinical microbicide trials.