Enrolment characteristics associated with retention among HIV negative Kenyan gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men enrolled in the Anza Mapema cohort study.

One in five men missed two consecutive follow-up visits during this HIV prevention study despite intensive retention efforts and compensation for travel and participation. Participants with recent community arrival may require special support to optimize their retention in HIV prevention activities. Live-in partners of participants may be enlisted to support greater engagement in prevention programmes, and men who engage in transactional sex will need enhanced counselling and support to stay in longitudinal studies.