The impact of serostatus disclosure on spousal relationships between wives and HIV-positive husbands who have sex with men in China

ABSTRACT

This study explored the impact of serostatus disclosure on the spousal relationship between wives and their HIV-positive husbands who have had sex with men. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted in Sichuan, China in 2017 with wives (n = 31) who had known their husbands’ HIV-positive status. Participants were identified by local governmental and non-governmental organizations that provide routine services for people living with HIV and their family members. Qualitative data underwent a detailed content analysis. Both positive and negative impacts on the spousal relationship were expressed by wives. Six themes were identified: (1) reduced sexual activities; (2) changes in intimacy; (3) limited communication on HIV-related issues but improved communication on other topics; (4) increased instrumental support but decreased emotional support; (5) improved resilience in the spousal relationship; and (6) shared privacy management rules regarding HIV-positive status. Moreover, the acknowledgment of the husband’s homosexual behavior hurt the spousal relationship more seriously than the disclosure of the husband’s HIV-positive status, and irremediable marriages were observed among wives who knew both. Disclosure of HIV-positive status had a great impact on the spousal relationship, though such impact varied across individuals.     

How intersectional constructions of sexuality,culture, and masculinity shape identities and sexual decision-making among men who have sex with men in coastal Kenya

Men who have sex with men are increasingly recognised as one of the most vulnerable HIV risk groups in Kenya. Sex between men is highly stigmatised in Kenya, and efforts to provide sexual health services to men who have sex with men require a deeper understanding of their lived experiences; this includes how such men in Kenya construct their sexual identities and how these constructions affect sexual decision-making. Adult self-identified men who have sex with men (n = 26) in Malindi, Kenya, participated in individual interviews to examine sociocultural processes influencing sexual identity construction and decision-making. Four key themes were identified: (1) tensions between perceptions of ‘homosexuality’ versus being ‘African’, (2) gender-stereotyped beliefs about sexual positioning, (3) socioeconomic status and limitations to personal agency and (4) objectification and commodification of non-normative sexualities. Findings from this analysis emphasise the need to conceive of same-sex sexuality and HIV risk as context-dependent social phenomena. Multiple sociocultural axes were found to converge and shape sexual identity and sexual decision-making among this population. These axes and their interactive effects should be considered in the design of future interventions and other public health programmes for men who have sex with men in this region.     

The other side of the bridge: exploring the sexual relationships of men who have sex with men and their female partners in Mumbai,India

Behaviourally bisexual men have been identified as a ‘bridge’ population of HIV transmission to heterosexual women in India. Little is known about the sexual relationships that these men have with their female sex partners. The primary objective of this study was to explore the sexual practices and relationship dynamics between married and unmarried behaviourally bisexual men and their female sex partners in Mumbai, India. In 2009, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 32 men who reported sex with men and women. Participants discussed a variety of sexual practices and arrangements with female sex partners. Irrespective of marital status and sexual identity, many said that they had satisfying sexual experiences and feelings of affection for female sex partners. However, sexual incompatibility between married partners was also reported. Explanations of bisexual concurrency were discussed in terms of both sexual satisfaction and sexual preference. Self-perceived HIV risk related to same-sex sexual behaviour motivated many men to use condoms with female partners. Expectations of unprotected marital sex and perceptions of partner risk were barriers to condom use. HIV-prevention programmes for this population may benefit from tailored risk-reduction counselling that attends to the variations of these sexual and social relationship dynamics.     

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.     

Syndemics of stigma,minority-stress,maladaptive coping,risk environments and littoral spaces among men who have sex with men using chemsex

There has been a steep rise in the use of drugs during sex (chemsex) by some men who have sex with men in economically developed countries, with associated increases in sexual risk for HIV and other STIs. This paper presents data from telephone interviews with 15 men attending sexual health clinics for post-exposure prophylaxis following a chemsex-related risk for HIV and discusses some of the theoretical approaches that have been employed to understand chemsex and inform interventions. Interviews were conducted as part of a larger intervention study, which used an adapted version of motivational Interviewing to explore risk behaviour and support change. Participants conceptualised their chemsex and HIV-related risks in a psycho-social context, highlighting the influences of psycho-socio-cultural challenges of homophobic marginalisation and the ‘gay scene’ on behaviour. Multiple influences of stigma, marginalisation, minority stress and maladaptive coping (including drug-use) contribute to syndemic ‘risk-environments’ and ‘littoral spaces’ in which chemsex and risk behaviours are played out.     

The role of patient–provider sexual health communication in understanding the uptake of HIV prevention services among Black men who have sex with men

We examined factors that may be associated with whether Black men who have sex with men a) disclose their sexual orientation to healthcare providers, and b) discuss their sexual health with healthcare providers to inform interventions to improve HIV prevention efforts and reduce HIV incidence rates among Black men who have sex with men. During 2011–2012, we conducted semi-structured individual in-depth interviews with Black men who have sex with men in New York City. Interviews were audio recorded. We examined transcribed responses for main themes using a qualitative exploratory approach followed by computer-assisted thematic analyses. Twenty-nine men participated. The median age was 25.3 years; 41% (n = 12) earned an annual income of < US$10,000; 72% (n = 21) had a college degree; 86% (n = 25) reported being single; 69% (n = 20) self-identified as gay or homosexual. We identified three main themes affecting whether the men discussed their sexual orientation and sexual health with healthcare providers: 1) comfort discussing sexual health needs; 2) health literacy; and 3) trust. Identifying strategies for improved comfort, health literacy and trust between Black men who have sex with men and healthcare providers may be an important strategy for increasing sexual health patient–provider communications, increasing opportunities for HIV prevention including testing and reducing HIV-related health disparities.     

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.     

Differences in substance use and sexual partnering between men who have sex with men,men who have sex with men and women and transgender women

Men who have sex with men (MSM), men who have sex with men and women (MSM/W) and transgender women (TGW) remain the populations most severely and disproportionately impacted upon by HIV in Los Angeles County. Baseline data from community-based HIV-prevention programmes serving these populations were analysed to explore differences in demographic characteristics, substance use and sexual partnering between the three groups. Despite high HIV prevalence overall (MSM 34.7% versus MSM/W 16.1% versus TGW 21.9%, p < .001), there were striking differences in risk behaviours. Higher rates of homelessness were reported by MSM/W compared to MSM and TGW. Lower rates of education and less substance use were reported by TGW (62.2%), compared to MSM (79.7%) and MSM/W (92.6%). A much higher number of male sexual exchange partners were reported by TGW (MSM 1.04 [SD = 4.8] versus MSM/W 1.54 [SD = 10.3] versus TGW 12.37 [SD = 23.9], p < .001). Findings support the need for HIV-prevention interventions that specifically address the unique risk patterns among each population in order to curb HIV acquisition and transmission.     

性感觉寻求与青少年男男性行为人群危险性行为的关系

目的 研究25岁及以下青少年男男性行为人群(YMSM)性感觉寻求与其艾滋病相关危险性行为的关系。方法 于2013年5-11月通过互联网宣传、外展活动以及例行的艾滋病自愿咨询检测服务招募403名YMSM, 采用匿名问卷调查, 回收375份(93.05%)有效问卷。结果 YMSM中有37.9%首次同性性行为未使用安全套, 最近6个月有55.7%发生多性伴行为, 51.7%有“419”(一夜情)行为, 5.6%有群交行为。性感觉寻求与首次同性性行为未使用安全套、多性伴行为、“419”行为、群交行为呈正相关(偏相关系数分别为0.247、0.218、0.296、0.252)。分别以首次同性性行为未使用安全套、多性伴行为、“419”行为、群交行为作为因变量进行logistic回归分析, 结果显示性感觉寻求高者更有可能发生以上危险性行为。结论 青少年性感觉寻求水平对危险性行为有影响, 应加强基于人群性感觉寻求分析的艾滋病相关知识及行为教育, 强化艾滋病相关危险性行为的风险意识, 从而更有效开展YMSM艾滋病干预。     

Contributions of an intensive HIV prevention programme in increasing HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Andhra Pradesh,India

The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with uptake of HIV testing and to assess their relative contributions in increasing HIV testing. Data are drawn from two rounds of cross-sectional Integrated Behavioural and Biological Assessment (IBBA) surveys of self-identified men who have sex with men (MSM) from Andhra Pradesh, India, recruited through probability-based sampling in 2005–2006 and 2009–2010 (IBBA1, n = 1621; IBBA2, n = 1608, respectively). Logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviours, programme exposure and HIV testing. Significant factors were further parsed using decomposition analysis to examine the contribution of different components of that factor towards the change in HIV testing. There was a significant increase in the proportion of MSM reporting HIV testing from IBBA1 to IBBA2. Higher literacy levels, being 25–34 years old, being a kothi (predominantly receptive), engaging in both commercial and non-commercial sexual relationships and intervention programme exposure contributed the most to the increase in HIV testing.     

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.     

Sex and sexuality in the Shenzhen tongzhi circle: HIV risk context and migrant men who have sex with men in China

The paper explores the HIV risk context of migrant men who have sex with men, or tongzhi, in Shenzhen, China. Findings from 42 qualitative interviews indicate that respondents are living within a complex risk environment, characterised by the realities of migration and a ‘weak ties’, virtual men who have sex with men community, which offers little emotional support but many opportunities for sexual engagement. Male sex work has proliferated in Shenzhen, with respondents informally participating in a type of buy-sell circuit. Respondents' portrayal of their environment and conflicts were underscored by three interacting elements: sexual freedom, migration and traditional Chinese values. The confluence of these factors, and how they may influence risk prioritisation in a multi-risk environment, is explored.     

A social-ecological perspective on power and HIV/AIDS with a sample of men who have sex with men of colour

This paper applies a social-ecological theory of power to posit that individual HIV-related vulnerability stems from how power is leveraged across situations over time. The current study identified six power domains and explored how the interchangeability of power shapes HIV-related vulnerability among men who have sex with men of colour. Data were collected as part of a mixed-methods study on the social networks and experiences of racial/ethnic and sexual minority status. A total of 35 Asian/Pacific Islander, Black and Latino men who have sex with men were recruited and individual in-depth interviews were conducted. Results showed that men who have sex with men of colour actively traded upon various domains to alter their relative power within a given situation. Results suggest that power interchangeability, or the degree to which power from one domain can be leveraged to gain power in another, may shape HIV-related vulnerability. Findings offer a dynamic understanding of the nature of HIV risk as derived from everyday power exchanges and provide theoretical foundation for future work on individual resilience against HIV-related risks over time.     

Men who have sex with men in Kisumu,Kenya: support group membership and knowledge of HIV-risk factors

Men who have sex with men are an important yet marginalised population for HIV prevention in Africa. We conducted a two-phase study (individual qualitative interviews and a survey) of men who have sex with men, aged 18–34 years of age and living in Kisumu, Kenya. Approximately half (27/51) of survey respondents reported belonging to a support group. The odds of belonging to support groups were greater for older men (aged 24–34 versus 18–23 years [OR = 5.20; 95%CI = 1.27–26.66]). More than two-thirds (68.6%) of survey respondents were categorised as having high knowledge of HIV-risk factors. Most respondents (94.1%) correctly reported lack of condom use during vaginal sex as a risk factor for HIV, but slightly fewer (82.4%) recognised lack of condom use during anal sex as an HIV risk factor. Among the 15 interviewees, the following were included as greatest needs: health information (n = 5), safe lubricants (n = 5), condoms (n = 4), healthcare facility or men-who-have-sex-with-men-friendly health services (n = 3) and advocacy (n = 2). Kenyan men who have sex with men have developed support groups and have unmet needs for information, lubricants and condoms and services. Partnering with support groups offers an opportunity for organisations to reach men who have sex with men with accurate health information, provision of safe sexual lubricants, condoms and other health and social services.     

Financing the response to HIV among gay men and other men who have sex with men: Case studies from eight diverse countries

Despite reductions in the number of new HIV infections globally, the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) is expanding. This study characterises financing of HIV programmes for MSM and the impact of criminalisation on levels of funding, using data from five countries that criminalise same-sex sexual practices (Ethiopia, Mozambique, Guyana, India and Nigeria) and three that do not (China, Ukraine and Vietnam). For each country, all publicly available documents from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for approved HIV/AIDS grants in Rounds 5–9 and Country Operational Plans detailing investments made through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) from US fiscal year (FY) 2007–2009 were examined. Eleven of 20 HIV proposals to the Global Fund contained programmes for MSM totalling approximately $40 million or 6% of proposed budgets. In six countries providing activity-level data on MSM programming, PEPFAR funding that served this population and others ranged from $23.3 million in FY2007 to $35.4 million in FY2009, representing 0.5–25.9% of overall, non-treatment funding over this period. Countries that criminalise same-sex sexual practices spend fewer resources on HIV programmes serving MSM. However, they also show consistent underfunding of programmes serving MSM regardless of context or geography.     

Reaching and engaging non-gay identified,non-disclosing Black men who have sex with both men and women

Non-gay identified (NGI) Black men who have sex with both men and women (MSMW) and who use substances are at risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV to their partners. Homophobic community norms can discourage such men from disclosing their risk behaviour to female partners and others, including service providers. It is important to understand the dynamics of risk in this vulnerable population, but research is challenged by the men's need for secrecy. In this paper we report on successful efforts to recruit 33 non-disclosing, NGI Black MSMW for in-depth interviews concerning substance use, HIV risk and attitudes toward disclosing their risk behaviour. We employed targeted and referral sampling, with initial contacts and/or key informants drawn from several types of settings in New York City, including known gay venues, community organisations, neighbourhood networks and the Internet. Key informant gatekeepers and the ability to establish rapport proved central to success. Perceived stigma is a source of social isolation, but men are willing to discuss their risk behaviour when they trust interviewers to protect their privacy and engage with them in a non-judgemental manner. Findings imply that the most effective prevention approaches for this population may be those that target risk behaviours without focusing on disclosure of sexual identities.     

Syndemics and HIV-related sexual risk among men who have sex with men in India: influences of stigma and resilience

Using syndemics theory as a framework, we explored the experience of men who have sex with men in India in relation to four syndemic conditions (depression, alcohol use, internalised homonegativity and violence victimisation) and to understand their resilience resources. Five focus groups were conducted among a purposive sample of diverse men along with seven key informant interviews with HIV service providers. Participants’ narratives suggested various pathways by which syndemic conditions interact with one another to sequentially or concurrently increase HIV risk. Experiences of discrimination and violence from a range of perpetrators (family, ruffians and police) contributed to internalised homonegativity and/or depression, which in turn led some men to use alcohol as a coping strategy. Stigma related to same-sex sexuality, gender non-conformity and sex work contributed to the production of one or more syndemic conditions. While rejection by family and male regular partners contributed to depression/alcohol use, support from family, regular partners and peers served as resources of resilience. In India, HIV prevention and health promotion efforts among men who have sex with men could be strengthened by multi-level multi-component interventions to reduce intersectional/intersecting stigma, address syndemic conditions and foster resilience – especially by promoting family acceptance and peer support.     

The role of the Black Church in the lives of young Black men who have sex with men

In the USA, the Black Church is among the most important institutions in the Black community, offering numerous spiritual, social and health benefits. Yet, the presence of homonegativity in many Black Churches may mitigate those effects for gay Black youth. This research examines the role of the Church in the lives of gay and bisexual Black youth to understand how they reconcile any tension between their religious and sexual identities. Through interviews with pastors of Black churches (n = 21) and young Black men who have sex with men (n = 30), we explored homonegativity and young men’s experiences within the Black Church. Findings reveal that despite the prevalence of homonegativity within Black churches, religious involvement remains important for young men and many remain involved in non-affirming churches. The importance of the Church for young men stems from their significant involvement as youth and the integration of religion, family and community. Young men may not be able to leave their religious homes as readily as other gay youth given the cultural relevance of the Church. As a result, young men made attempts to conceal their sexuality in church to avoid shame and gossip and find opportunities to balance their sexuality and religiosity.