Abstract
Objective To analyze sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with vulnerability to HIV according to sexual orientation. Method This is a cross-sectional study conducted using data on 3,818 people in the city of Imperatriz, Brazil, during 2015 and 2016. The survey's questionnaires addressed sociodemographic and behavioral variables. For the data analysis, association (chi-square test) and strength of association (odds ratio) were observed. A significance level of p < 0.05 and adjustment for age and gender were taken into consideration. Results A substantial portion of the sample stated they were heterosexual (88.8%). These individuals demonstrated a lower chance of HIV infection (p < 0.001), sexually transmitted infections (p < 0.001), alcohol use (p < 0.001) and condom use (p < 0.001), compared to men who have sex with men and/or bisexuals. In this group, after adjusting for confounding variables, the factors associated with HIV infection were being male (p < 0.001), unmarried (p < 0.001), having completed higher education (p < 0.001) and boasting multiple sexual partners (p < 0.001). Conclusion Behavioral and sociodemographic factors of vulnerability to HIV are predominant among men who have sex with men and/or are bisexual.
Highlights
As far as men who have sex with men (MSM) and bisexuals are concerned, the predominant profile was male (92.0%), aged over 30 (73.5%), unmarried (85.7%), black/ brown (76.8%), eighth-grade education or higher (85.2%), and the majority were engaged in some form of paid activity (58.2%)
We observed that MSM and bisexual individuals were more likely to be male (푝 < 0.0001, OR = 10.4, 95% CI = 7.34–14.9), unmarried (푝 < 0.0001, OR = 5.21, 95% CI = 3.94–6.89), and have attained a higher level of education (푝 < 0.0001, OR = 3.50, 95% CI = 2.65–4.61)
We found that heterosexuals are less likely to be infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (p < 0.0001; OR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.18–0.35)
Summary
To analyze sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with vulnerability to HIV according to sexual orientation. Ese individuals demonstrated a lower chance of HIV infection (푝 < 0.001), sexually transmitted infections (푝 < 0.001), alcohol use (푝 < 0.001) and condom use (푝 < 0.001), compared to men who have sex with men and/or bisexuals In this group, a er adjusting for confounding variables, the factors associated with HIV infection were being male (푝 < 0.001), unmarried (푝 < 0.001), having completed higher education (푝 < 0.001) and boasting multiple sexual partners (푝 < 0.001). E predictive variables investigated were divided into sociodemographic factors (sex, age, marital status, skin color, education and remuneration) and clinical behavioral characteristics (presence of sexually transmitted infections, use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, number of sexual partners and the use of condoms). E following outcome variables were chosen: HIV infection and independent variable are sociodemographic factors and risk behaviors for HIV infection, according to the stated sexual orientation. Variables remained in the multiple model when they were significant (푝 < 0.05) or when they were fitted to the model with regard to sex and age
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