Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is high among Western men who have sex with men (MSM), and CSA is associated with certain socio-demographic variables and with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. Little is known about CSA among Chinese MSM; therefore, we explored the prevalence and frequency of non-contact (e.g., sexual invitations, exhibitionism) and contact (e.g., intercourse, genital contact) forms of CSA in an Internet-based sample of MSM in China. We also examined the associations between the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and HIV status, and their histories of CSA.MethodsWe surveyed MSM from 30 Chinese provinces in 2014–2015; 1,030 (mean age = 25.15 years, SD = 6.32) and 1,020 (mean age = 25.05 years, SD = 5.95) respondents were eligible for inclusion in the non-contact and contact CSA groups, respectively.ResultsPrevalence of non-contact and contact CSA was 36.2% and 29.8%, respectively; 20.4% and 15.0% had experienced non-contact and contact CSA ≥ 3 times, respectively. Most respondents were young adults, well educated, single, had never “come out,” and self-identified as gay or bisexual men. Univariate analyses showed that respondents who had experienced contact CSA were more likely to be HIV-positive than those who had never experienced contact CSA. Multivariate analyses showed that non-contact CSA was associated with less education, being in a relationship with a woman or a man, and having “come out.” Contact CSA was associated with less education, higher income, and being in a relationship with a man. Respondents who had experienced non-contact CSA ≥ 3 times were more likely to be less educated, “out,” and to be in a relationship with a woman or a man. Respondents who had experienced contact CSA ≥ 3 times were more likely to be less educated and to be in a relationship with a man.ConclusionsIt is necessary to pay closer attention to CSA among MSM and other sexual minorities in China.
Highlights
People who experience childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are more likely to become infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [1,2,3,4]
Univariate analyses showed that respondents who had experienced contact CSA were more likely to be HIV-positive than those who had never experienced contact CSA
Multivariate analyses showed that non-contact CSA was associated with less education, being in a relationship with a woman or a man, and having “come out.”
Summary
People who experience childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are more likely to become infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [1,2,3,4]. Numerous studies have reported that sexual abuse has negative effects on individuals’ physical and mental health Sexual minority groups, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), are more likely to report past experiences of CSA than heterosexual populations [5,6], and the prevalence of CSA among MSM ranges from 16% to 40% [2,3,7,8,9]. The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is high among Western men who have sex with men (MSM), and CSA is associated with certain socio-demographic variables and with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. We examined the associations between the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and HIV status, and their histories of CSA
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