Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
Volume 25, Issue 1, 2016, Pages 53-60

An analysis of socio-demographic and behavioural factors among immigrant MSM in Montreal from an HIV-testing site sample (Article)

Lessard D.* , Lebouche' B. , Engler K. , Thomas R.
  • a Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada, Department of Infectious Disease, Chronic Viral Illness Service, Glen Site of McGill University Health Centre, 3rd floor, Montreal, QC H3S 1Z1, Canada
  • b Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada, Department of Infectious Disease, Chronic Viral Illness Service, Glen Site of McGill University Health Centre, 3rd floor, Montreal, QC H3S 1Z1, Canada
  • c Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada, Department of Infectious Disease, Chronic Viral Illness Service, Glen Site of McGill University Health Centre, 3rd floor, Montreal, QC H3S 1Z1, Canada
  • d Clinique Mé Dicale L'Actuel, Montreal, QC, Canada

Abstract

Little Canadian research exists on immigrant men who have sex with men (MSM), who are internationally reported to use rapid HIV-testing sites. Our objective was to describe immigrant MSM in a sample of clients at an HIV testing site. From July 2012 to November 2013, clients at Actuel sur Rue (AsR), a Montrealbased HIV rapid-testing site, provided data for a staff- And a self-administered questionnaire. We compared immigrant and non-immigrant MSM's socio-demographics and risk practices. Among immigrants, we analyzed these variables by country of origin. We conducted regression analyses examining how immigrant status and socio-demographics were associated with risk practices. During the study, 1353 MSM visited AsR and 407 (30%) were immigrants, mostly from Europe, Latin America/Caribbean, and Africa/ Middle-East. The same proportion (2%) of immigrant and non-immigrant MSM received a positive rapid HIV test result. Relative to non-immigrant MSM, significantly more immigrant MSM reported a post-secondary degree, a lower income, and being unemployed. Fewer reported receiving an HIV-positive/unknown-status partner's sperm/blood in their mouth, ever having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive partner, and ever selling sex. In comparisons between MSM immigrants by origin, fewer Asian and African/Middle-Eastern MSM reported ever testing for HIV. In the regression analyses, immigrant status was not independently associated with sexual risk. MSM who earned less, were unemployed, or had a high school degree or less were more likely to have sold sex. Socio-demographics like employment, education and income were associated with reported sexual risk in MSM clients, but not immigrant status alone.

Author Keywords

risk factors HIV MSM HIV testing site Immigration Canada

Index Keywords

education immigrant South and Central America sexual behavior demography Europe human Middle East Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient HIV rapid test men who have sex with men income social status male Africa Caribbean Article adult age health care facility employment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84962169600&doi=10.3138%2fcjhs.251-A4&partnerID=40&md5=3206c63d6152ded712d8b7634c8ab3ac
DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.251-A4
ISSN: 11884517
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English