The relation between mental health, homosexual stigma, childhood abuse, community engagement, and unprotected anal intercourse among MSM in China

Yaxin Zhu,Bo Qu,Jie Liu,Yucun Chen,Ruochen Zhang

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-22403-9

Yaxin Zhu, Bo Qu + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-22403-9

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Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Mar 5, 2018
Citations: 33	License type: open-access

Affiliation: China Medical University

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the relation of various factors with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and provide some insight for HIV intervention on Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). The current cross-sectional study recruited 365 MSM in Dalian, China. More than half of the respondents (117 respondents, 51.8% of the sample) had engaged in UAI. The multivariable logistic regression model suggested that poorer mental health (AOR: 7.16; 95% CI: 3.14–16.31), self-stigma (AOR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.00–2.34), and experience(s) of physical abuse in childhood (AOR: 5.85; 95% CI: 1.77–19.30) were significantly and positively related to UAI. Community engagement was negatively associated with UAI (p < 0.05). It appears it is necessary to incorporate mental health services, eliminate the stigma against homosexuality, and facilitate MSM-related community engagement into intervention strategies to prevent UAI among Chinese MSM. Targeted UAI interventions in the subgroup with a history of childhood physical abuse should also be of great concern.

Highlights

Due to HIV prevention efforts, the overall prevalence of HIV in China remains low; the rate of HIV infection has increased dramatically in the men who have sex with men (MSM) population[1]
We explore the association of various factors with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), including homosexuality-related stigma, mental health, history of childhood abuse, community engagement, and HIV knowledge
Among all the related factors in our study, UAI was best associated with poorer mental health (AOR: 7.16; 95% CI: 3.14–16.31) among MSM

Summary

Introduction

Due to HIV prevention efforts, the overall prevalence of HIV in China remains low; the rate of HIV infection has increased dramatically in the men who have sex with men (MSM) population[1]. The development of effective interventions should take into account multiple related factors that contribute to HIV high-risk behaviour within the MSM population[5,6]. We explore the association of various factors with UAI, including homosexuality-related stigma, mental health, history of childhood abuse (both physical abuse and mental abuse), community engagement, and HIV knowledge.

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Conclusion