Sexual HIV Risk Behaviors, Mental Health and Milestone Events among Japanese Gay and Bisexual Men

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  • ゲイ・バイセクシュアル男性のＨＩＶ感染リスク行動と精神的健康およびライフイベントに関する研究
  • エキガク ゲイ バイセクシュアル ダンセイ ノ HIV カンセン リスク コウドウ ト セイシンテキ ケンコウ オヨビ ライフイベント ニ カンスル ケンキュウ

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Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify gay-specific milestone events among Japanese gay and bisexual men, and to investigate the relationship between mental health status and HIV/sexually transmitted disease (STD)-related knowledge and sexual HIV risk practices.<BR>Subjects and method: Anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in gay and bisexual men recruited through snow balling procedures. Of 184 subjects accessed, the data of 149 men (81.0%) who experienced a sex with men were used for analysis. Mental health status was measured using standardized psychological scales.<BR>Results: Major gay-specific milestone events such as “becoming aware of same-sex attraction” and “self identified as gay or bisexual” mostly occurred before 20 years of age. HIV/STD-related knowledge was generally high in this population. Oral and anal intercourses were practiced by 98% and 84.5% of the respondents, respectively. Consistent condom usage rate was found generally low, being 0% for oral sex, 34.6% for men experiencing only insertive anal intercourse (IAI), 33.0% for men experiencing only receptive anal intercourse (RAI), and 17.1% for those experiencing both insertive and receptive anal intercourse (IRAI). Among the RAI and IRAI, the lower the level of mental health according to the questionnaire on psychological profiles, the more unprotected sexual practice was observed by the logistic regression analysis with age and HIV/STD knowledge level adjusted. However, the same association was not found in IAI.<BR>Conclusion: The present study clearly showed the frequent occurrence of gay-specific milestone events in the early stage of life and that unprotected sexual practice was prevalent among the participants. With the significant association between unsafe sexual practice and mental health status, this study suggests that psychological support as well as knowledge/skill provision may be integral to promote condom use age, at least for some Japanese gay and bisexual men.

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