Quality of Life of Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Cross-sectional Study from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM), a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS, face various health issues. However, research is scarce on MSM in India, and available studies generally focus on the mental health of HIV-infected MSM rather than their overall health. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the quality of life (QOL) among MSM. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was done in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, involving 100 MSM individuals. Participants were recruited from a non-governmental organization that works toward the welfare of MSM individuals. Socio-demographic data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, while QOL was measured using the Hindi version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Quantitative variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation, and qualitative variables were summarized using frequency and percentage. The differences between mean QOL scores were analyzed using t-test/analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between domains. Results: Most participants were 21-40 years of age, with a mean age of 34.8 (±8.1) years. Most participants resided in urban areas and identified as Hindu (92%). The scores of WHOQOL-BREF ranged from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better QOL. The mean scores for general QOL and general health among participants were 42 ± 20.4 and 67.5 ± 24.7, respectively. Among the four domains of WHOQOL-BREF, social relationship domain had the highest mean QOL score (72.7 ± 11.5), while the psychological domain exhibited the lowest score (57.2 ± 11.7). The mean scores for the physical and environmental domains were 70.9 ± 8.7 and 59.6 ± 10.7, respectively. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of addressing various health aspects beyond HIV/AIDS in this population to improve their overall well-being and life satisfaction.