Mental health and suicidal ideation among Chinese women who have sex with men who have sex with men (MSM)

ABSTRACT

In China, men who have sex with men (MSM) are the fastest growing population at risk for HIV. They face social stigma due to both MSM behavior and HIV. In addition, concern has been raised about the mental health of wives of MSM. In this cross-sectional study, the authors examine the mental health status of a sample of 135 of these women. Participants completed an Internet-administered questionnaire in Xi’an from April to June, 2012. Most were unaware at the time of marriage that their husbands were MSM. Physical abuse was frequently reported; depressive symptom and mental health (Symptom Checklist, SCL–90) scores were significantly higher than those of the general Chinese adult female population. A majority (59.8%) of women reported suicidal thoughts after discovering their husbands’ MSM behavior; about 10% had attempted suicide. Multiple logistic regression revealed that women’s experience with anal sex was associated with 7.8 times (95% CI: 1.3–65.9) greater odds of suicidal ideation. Also, women who demonstrated mental symptoms on the SCL–90 had 2.3 times (95% CI: 1.04–5.2) the odds of suicidal ideation. These results suggest that wives of MSM have a significant need for mental health care, suicide prevention, HIV education, and social support.     

HIV epidemic and human rights among men who have sex with men in sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for HIV prevention,care, and surveillance

Recent research has presented evidence that men who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionate burden of HIV and are at increased risk for HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, many countries in SSA have failed to address the needs of MSM in national HIV/AIDS programmes. Furthermore, many MSM face structural barriers to HIV prevention and care, the most significant of which include laws that criminalise male-to-male sexual contact and facilitate stigma and discrimination. This in turn increases the vulnerability of MSM to acquiring HIV and presents barriers to HIV prevention, care, and surveillance. This relationship illustrates the link between human rights, social justice, and health outcomes and presents considerable challenges to addressing the HIV epidemic among MSM in SSA. The response to the HIV epidemic in SSA requires a non-discriminatory human rights approach to all at-risk groups, including MSM. Existing international human rights treaties, to which many SSA countries are signatories, and a ‘health in all policies’ approach provides a strong basis to reduce structural barriers to HIV prevention, care, surveillance, and research, and to ensure that all populations in SSA, including MSM, have access to the full range of rights that help ensure equal opportunities for health and wellness.     

Unhealthy environments,unhealthy consequences: Experienced homonegativity and HIV infection risk among young men who have sex with men

Unfavourable social environments can negatively affect the health of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). We described how experienced homonegativity – negative perceptions and treatment that MSM encounter due to their sexual orientations – can increase HIV vulnerability among young MSM. Participants (n?=?44) were young MSM diagnosed with HIV infection during January 2006–June 2009. All participants completed questionnaires that assessed experienced homonegativity and related factors (e.g. internalised homonegativity). We focus this analysis on qualitative interviews in which a subset of participants (n?=?28) described factors that they perceived to have placed them at risk for HIV infection. Inductive content analysis identified themes within qualitative interviews, and we determined the prevalence of homonegativity and related factors using questionnaires. In qualitative interviews, participants reported that young MSM commonly experienced homonegativity. They described how homonegativity generated internalised homonegativity, HIV stigma, silence around homosexuality, and forced housing displacement. These factors could promote HIV risk. Homonegative experiences were more common among young Black (vs. non-Black) MSM who completed questionnaires. Results illustrate multiple pathways through which experienced homonegativity may increase HIV vulnerability among young MSM. Interventions that target homonegativity might help to reduce the burden of HIV within this population.     

山东省部分男男性接触者艾滋病防治相关知识、态度和行为调查

目的了解山东省男男性接触者艾滋病防治相关知识、态度和行为状况,为制定艾滋病防治政策提供科学依据。方法采用滚雪球法或方便样本法,在全省8个城市使用统一设计的调查问卷对男男性接触者进行面对面调查,并采集静脉血标本。结果共调查1617名男男性接触者,平均年龄为26岁,已婚占71.9%,大学以上文化程度占58.6%,青年学生占25.3%。艾滋病防治相关知识全部回答正确率较低,为28.2%;发生高危性行为的比例较高,安全套使用率低于50%;检出HIV抗体阳性18例,感染率1.3%。结论山东省男男性接触者人群中存在着艾滋病流行,并有向一般人群蔓延的潜在危险。因此,应进一步加强该类人群艾滋病防治相关知识的宣传教育和安全套推广使用工作,以提高他们的艾滋病防治知识知晓率和自我防护意识。     

Knowledge and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in Northeastern Brazil

Few studies evaluate knowledge and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in middle-income countries. Brazil added PrEP to public drug formularies in December 2017, but little is known about local knowledge and attitudes about PrEP among MSM outside metropolitan areas in Southern Brazil. The cross-sectional HIV Surveillance Survey Project in Brazil estimates HIV and STD prevalence among MSM in 12 state capitals. Among 32 participants at the Salvador, Bahia study site, we used qualitative interviews to assess knowledge, willingness, and barriers to PrEP use among MSM; few MSM had previous knowledge of PrEP and were willing to use PrEP. Clinical, behavioural, social, and structural factors influencing participants’ knowledge and willingness to take PrEP included concerns about efficacy and side effects, access to culturally congruent services for MSM, and stigma. Some participants reported that learning about PrEP online positively influenced their willingness to use PrEP. Participants’ opinions about PrEP’s contribution to risk compensation varied. Interventions to provide culturally congruent care and destigmatise PrEP for MSM at high risk for HIV acquisition, particularly those conducted collaboratively with Brazil’s civil society movement, may enhance the public health effort to expand access to PrEP in Brazil.     

Public health challenges of the emerging HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men in China

A large-scale national survey was conducted in 2008 across 61 cities throughout China, covering over 18,000 men who have sex with men (MSM). The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was 4.9% and incidence ranged from 2.6 to 5.4 per 100 person-years. The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases ranged from 2.0% to 29.9% among MSM in different parts of China. Syphilis status, recruitment of sexual partners mainly from gay saunas, duration of MSM experience, and unprotected sex with regular male sex partners and multiple male sex partners predicted HIV seroconversion. The prevalence of consistent condom use was low during anal sex, ranging from 29.4% to 37.3%. Within this context, this paper considers the factors surrounding HIV prevention activity, and identifies a number of public health challenges which need to be considered if optimum outcomes are to be achieved. HIV prevention targeting MSM is a delayed response. The high risk associated with gay saunas and the need for steady condom supply at these venues needs urgent consideration. In addition, approximately one-third of MSM in China reported bisexual behavior, which may be attributed to sociocultural reasons and stigma against MSM. Female sex partners of MSM are seldom aware of their exposure to high risk of HIV transmission. Finally, the primitive nature of non-government organizations for HIV prevention and issues around their sustainability pose another serious challenge for the future of HIV prevention campaigns targeting MSM in China.     

HIV阳性男男性行为者抑郁现状及相关因素研究

目的 了解HIV阳性男男性行为者（men who have sex with men, MSM）抑郁现状及相关因素,为提高其心理健康水平提供依据。方法 采用方便抽样的方法,于2016年7-8月在南京市某医院对参加抗病毒治疗的 HIV阳性MSM进行问卷调查。采用logistic回归分析抑郁的相关因素。结果 抑郁症状发生率为38.6%（134/347）。多因素logistic回归分析显示,高社会支持（OR=0.955,95%CI:0.914~0.998）和高自尊（OR=0.788,95%CI:0.731~0.849）的HIV阳性MSM发生抑郁的可能性较小。 确诊时间＜12 月（OR=1.943,95%CI:1.080~3.493）和高感知歧视者（OR=1.049,95%CI:1.021~1.078）更有可能出现抑郁症状。结论 HIV阳性MSM抑郁症状的发生率较高,尤其是新发感染者。需要制定心理干预、咨询、治疗相结合的综合服务模式,以减少歧视,提高社会支持水平,缓解他们的负性情绪,从而改善其生存质量。     

Socio-cultural influences on the transmission of HIV among gay men in rural China

Bisexual behaviours are relatively common among men who have sex with men in China. This pilot study aims to reveal the complex processes through which such men manage their sexuality, family responsibilities and sexual behaviours in a rural Chinese setting. A total of 15 men who have sex with men were recruited by purposive sampling. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted to explore participants’ views about their sexual experiences and practices. The Chinese traditional moral code, family values and gender roles that form the crucial components of Confucianism were reflected in the participants’ efforts to maintain familial and social harmony through a compromised form of sexual partnership. Most study participants demonstrated a mixed experience of social stigma, sexual naiveté and ignorance of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Under cultural and family pressure, men who have sex with men entered heterosexual marriages with the intention of maintaining a balance between their collectivist (familial) obligations and their individualistic (same-sex sexual) desires. However, the opaque nature of their concurrent sexual relationships may endanger their personal health and accelerate HIV and STI transmission. Reducing the stigma and social prejudice associated with male same-sex sexual relations is essential for any culturally sensitive HIV-prevention programme to succeed in rural China.     

男男性接触者性伴网络特征与HIV传播

目的了解男男性接触者（MSM）性伴网络特征,探讨人类免疫缺陷病毒/性传播疾病（HIV/STDs）从该人群向普通人群传播的途径,为开展HIV/STDs的预防与控制提供依据.方法以同性恋酒吧为研究现场,以其中男男性接触者为对象进行匿名问卷调查.调查内容包括社会人口学特征、HIV/STDs感染状况、性伴类型及数量等.结果某市酒吧中MSM的HIV和STDs感染报告率分别为3.4%和10.3%;多性伴现象在MSM中普遍存在,且性伴类型广泛.在最近2个月中,50.0%的MSM有同性偶然性伴,17.8%有同性商业性伴,63.8%目前有同性固定性伴.曾有过异性性伴者为55.7%.拥有3种类型性伴者为19.5%,4种类型性伴者为12.6%.拥有不同类型性伴的MSM亚群之间相互关联,核心亚群为拥有异性性伴和拥有同性商业性伴亚群.结论 MSM以多维的性伴网络相互连接,不仅在MSM人群内部具有HIV/STDs的多向传播通道,而且已经形成了向普通人群传播的桥梁.     

高校大学生男男性行为人群中HIV传播相关因素分析

大学生男男性行为人群急速增加,男男性行为人群已成为艾滋病传播的纽带人群,学生男男性行为的人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染增加表现出明显的趋势,对大学生男男性行为人群中HIV传播因素进行分析,为更好的开展学生艾滋病预防和控制提供重要依据。     

男男性接触者STI、AIDS危险行为调查

目的了解大连市男男性接触者（MSM）人群的基本情况,为预防艾滋病、性病传播提供依据.方法采用匿名横断面调查设计,在酒吧等场所对MSM进行现场问卷调查,收集相关信息.结果 247份有效问卷结果表明,最近6个月内94.7%的MSM与男性有过性交行为,43.7%的MSM与女性有性接触,7.8%的MSM在近6个月内同性买淫,17.4%的MSM在6个月内同性卖淫,81.4%的MSM采用相应预防方法,72.9%的MSM考虑过应进行艾滋病感染检测.结论大连市MSM人群中艾滋病高危行为普遍存在,极有可能造成流行.     

重庆市男男性行为者网络交友HIV感染情况

目的了解重庆市男男性行为者(MSM) 网络交友状况及人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染情况,为有效干预MSM HIV感染提供依据。方法对重庆市206名MSM进行结构式访问与问卷调查,对半年内未进行HIV检测者进行实验室筛查,分析MSM人口社会学特征及HIV感染的影响因素。结果206名MSM平均年龄（22.08±1.81）岁,大专及以上文化程度137名（66.50%）,HIV感染率为21.36%（44/206）。MSM无固定性伴侣者HIV感染率高于有固定性伴侣者;MSM性伴数量越多,HIV感染风险越大;与不熟悉或陌生的人发生性行为HIV感染率高于与熟悉的性伴;性行为中安全套使用率越高,HIV感染率越低,各组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P＜0.05)。不同文化程度的MSM安全套使用情况比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。结论该市MSM HIV感染率较高,建议加强健康教育宣传、同伴网络教育与行为干预,减少联结MSM网体之间的桥梁人群,建立同性恋社会支持体系,降低MSM HIV感染风险。     

我国男男性行为人群HIV自我检测及相关因素研究进展

HIV检测是艾滋病防控工作的第一步, 我国MSM的HIV感染率高, 检测率低。HIV自我检测(HIV自检)为MSM提供了一个新的选择, 对扩大HIV检测在该人群中的覆盖面具有重要作用。本文综述了我国MSM的HIV自检及相关因素, 为HIV自检在该人群中的推广提供依据。     

Secondary HIV prevention among kothi-identified MSM in Chennai, India

This study explored experiences and contexts of HIV risk and prevention among HIV-positive kothi-identified men in Chennai, India. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 HIV-positive men and three service providers, recruited using purposive sampling. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed in Tamil and translated into English. Data were analysed using a narrative thematic approach and constant comparative method. Misconceptions about HIV transmission; cultural taboos around discussing sexual behaviour and HIV; stigma related to same-sex behaviour; harassment; and the criminalization of consensual sex between men present formidable challenges to HIV prevention. Frank and open discussion about male-to-male sexual behaviour and living with HIV, which may support health and HIV prevention, may be dangerous in the context of pervasive risks due to stigmatization, violence and criminalization. Instead, culturally appropriate, multi-level interventions developed in collaboration with community stakeholders are needed to support HIV prevention among kothi-identified men in South India.     

男男性行为人群扩大HIV检测策略研究进展

近年来, 我国MSM的HIV感染率呈上升趋势。HIV检测是发现感染者的唯一途径, 能够有效遏制HIV的传播和降低艾滋病相关死亡风险。目前我国MSM的HIV检测情况不容乐观, 扩大HIV检测是该人群艾滋病防控工作的关键措施之一。本文对MSM扩大HIV检测的作用及策略进行综述, 为开展该人群HIV检测相关工作提供参考。     

男男性行为人群HIV/AIDS性伴感染状况和溯源效率相关因素研究

目的 了解MSM HIV/AIDS的性伴感染状况和溯源效率的相关因素。方法 采用横断面调查方法,2018-2020年在宁波市对MSM HIV/AIDS开展性伴调查和HIV检测,并用限制性抗原亲和力酶联免疫法判定是否新发感染。分类资料采用χ²检验,采用多因素logistic回归分析溯源效率的相关因素。结果 共调查374例新确证MSM HIV/AIDS,动员479例性伴进行调查和HIV检测,性伴HIV阳性率为15.7%（75/479,95%CI：12.4%~18.9%）,其中新发感染者性伴HIV阳性率为31.8%（21/66,95%CI：20.3%~43.4%）。新发感染者的性伴HIV阳性者中新发现阳性性伴的比例（76.2%）高于长期感染者（48.1%）,差异有统计学意义（P=0.028）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,36~45岁年龄组（与18~25岁年龄组相比,OR=3.973,95%CI：1.364~11.569）、HIV主动检测（与HIV被动检测相比,OR=1.896,95%CI：1.083~3.319）、新发感染者（与长期感染者相比,OR=3.733,95%CI：1.844~7.556）的溯源效率更高。结论 MSM HIV/AIDS性伴HIV阳性率高,其中新发感染者和HIV主动检测发现的感染者性伴溯源效率较高。建议加强MSM HIV/AIDS溯源调查,重点关注艾滋病自愿咨询与检测门诊新确证的MSM HIV/AIDS。     

Adapting the minority stress model: associations between gender non-conformity stigma, HIV-related stigma and depression among men who have sex with men in South India

Marginalization and stigmatization heighten the vulnerability of sexual minorities to inequitable mental health outcomes. There is a dearth of information regarding stigma and mental health among men who have sex with men (MSM) in India. We adapted Meyer's minority stress model to explore associations between stigma and depression among MSM in South India. The study objective was to examine the influence of sexual stigma, gender non-conformity stigma (GNS) and HIV-related stigma (HIV-S) on depression among MSM in South India. A cross-sectional survey was administered to MSM in urban (Chennai) (n=100) and semi-urban (Kumbakonam) (n=100) locations in Tamil Nadu. The majority of participants reported moderate/severe depression scores. Participants in Chennai reported significantly higher levels of GNS, social support and resilient coping, and lower levels of HIV-S and depression, than participants in Kumbakonam. Hierarchical block regression analyses were conducted to measure associations between independent (GNS, HIV-S), moderator (social support, resilient coping) and dependent (depression) variables. Sexual stigma was not included in regression analyses due to multicollinearity with GNS. The first regression analyses assessed associations between depression and stigma subtypes. In Chennai, perceived GNS was associated with depression; in Kumbakonam enacted/perceived GNS and vicarious HIV-S were associated with depression. In the moderation analyses, overall GNS and HIV-S scores (subtypes combined) accounted for a significant amount of variability in depression in both locations, although HIV-S was only a significant predictor in Kumbakonam. Social support and resilient coping were associated with lower depression but did not moderate the influence of HIV-S or GNS on depression. Differences in stigma, coping, social support and depression between locations highlight the salience of considering geographical context in stigma analyses. Associations between HIV-S and depression among HIV-negative MSM emphasize the significance of symbolic stigma. Findings may inform multi-level stigma reduction and health promotion interventions with MSM in South India.     

新疆乌鲁木齐市男男性行为人群HIV传播动力学的预测和分析

目的建立人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染传播动力学模型,评估男男性行为(MSM)人群HIV感染状况,并预测未来十年新疆乌鲁木齐市MSM人群HIV的流行趋势,为制定合适的防控措施提供定量依据。方法利用新疆乌鲁木齐市2009—2017年MSM人群HIV的监测数据,建立HIV传播的动力学模型。通过模型分析得到决定疾病传播与否的基本再生数R0,并用收集和估计的参数对模型进行数值模拟,分析乌鲁木齐市MSM人群HIV的流行状况。结果建立的MSM人群HIV的传播动力学模型拟合效果合理[平均绝对百分比误差(MAPE)=10.89%,均方根百分比误差(RMSPE)=25.74%],基本再生数R0≈0.2616(95%CI:0.2394～0.9299),该模型预测2027年乌鲁木齐市MSM人群HIV的阳性率下降至2%。参数敏感性分析发现,由低危易感者发展成为高危易感者的比例、由HIV感染者发展成为艾滋病患者的比例和高危易感者发展成为低危易感者的比例是影响MSM人群HIV流行的主要因素。结论乌鲁木齐市MSM人群HIV感染呈现持续流行,相关部门应加强对MSM人群的防控,推广安全套的使用,加强宣传教育等综合性干预措施,控制MSM人群HIV的流行。     

This is who we are: building community for HIV prevention with young gay and bisexual men in Beirut,Lebanon

Young gay men in Beirut are at significantly elevated risk of HIV infection compared with the general Lebanese population. Despite nascent HIV prevention efforts in the region, there is a need for effective community-level HIV prevention interventions tailored for young gay men. This qualitative study examined internal dynamics within Beirut’s gay community as a basis for developing community-level interventions. Peer ethnographers were trained to collect field notes on conversations between young gay men in public spaces in Beirut, and conducted follow-up focus groups with young gay men. Analyses revealed three major themes: (1) the need for safe spaces in which to socialise, (2) the importance of being able to locate and connect with other young gay men, and (3) ambivalence regarding a gay community that was supportive in some ways but also fragmented and often judgemental. Study findings also confirm the existence of external threats to community such as stigma, cultural and familial norms regarding heterosexuality and criminalisation of refugee status. Understanding such community dynamics and the environmental context is central to designing effective community-based HIV prevention programmes.     

A qualitative assessment of health seeking practices among and provision practices for men who have sex with men in Malawi

Background

In the context of a generalized epidemic and criminalization of homosexuality, men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malawi have a disproportionate burden of HIV compared to other adults. Past research has documented low uptake of HIV prevention and health services among MSM, self-reported fear of seeking health services, and concerns of disclosure of sexual orientation and discrimination in health settings. Qualitative research was conducted among MSM and health service providers in Blantyre, Malawi to understand underlying factors related to disclosure and health seeking behaviors and inform the development of a community-based comprehensive HIV prevention intervention.

Methods

Using peer recruitment, eight MSM participants representing a range of ages, orientations, and social and behavioral characteristics were enrolled for in-depth interviews. Five service providers were recruited from the district hospital, local health and STI clinics, and a HIV prevention service organization. We use the Health Belief Model as a framework to interpret the influential factors on 1) health seeking and uptake among MSM, and 2) influences on provision of services by healthcare providers for MSM.

Results

Results highlight disclosure fears among MSM and, among providers, a lack of awareness and self-efficacy to provide care in the face of limited information and political support. Service providers reported concerns of adverse repercussions related to the provision of services to men in same sex sexual relationships. Some MSM demonstrated awareness of HIV risk but believed that within the wider MSM community, there was a general lack of HIV information for MSM, low awareness of appropriate prevention, and low perception of risks related to HIV infection.

Conclusions

Qualitative research highlights the need for appropriate information on both HIV risks and acceptable, effective HIV prevention options for MSM. Information and educational opportunities should be available to the wider MSM community and the health sector. Health sector interventions may serve to increase cultural and clinical competency to address health problems experienced by MSM. To ensure availability and use of services in light of the criminalization and stigmatization of same sex practices, there is need to increase the safety of uptake and provision of these services for MSM.