AIDS and Behavior
Volume 20, 2016, Pages 408-416

HIV Prevalence and Demographic Determinants of Unprotected Anal Sex and HIV Testing among Male Refugees Who have Sex with Men in Beirut, Lebanon (Article)

Tohme J.* , Egan J.E. , Stall R. , Wagner G. , Mokhbat J.
  • a M-Coalition, Coalition of MSM and HIV activists in the MENA region, Beirut, Lebanon, 1485 Clayton Street, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
  • b Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States, Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
  • c Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States, Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
  • d RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States
  • e Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM), the same as refugees are at higher risk for health issues including HIV infection. With the large influx of refugees to Lebanon, and to better understand HIV transmission in this setting, we explored the socio-demographic correlates of condom use and HIV testing among MSM refugees in Beirut, by surveying and testing 150 participants. 67 % self-identified as gay, 84.6 % of respondents reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the prior 3 months, and 56.7 % with men of positive or unknown HIV status (UAIPU). 2.7 % tested positive for HIV, and 36 % reported having engaged in sex work. Men in a relationship and men who self-identified as gay had higher odds of UAI, of ever been tested, but lower odds of UAIPU. HIV prevention and testing promotion efforts targeting MSM refugees need to account for how men self-identify in relation to their sexual behavior and relationship status. Such efforts also should place emphasis on MSM of lower socio-economic status. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

MENA region HIV testing Condom use Refugees HIV MSM Lebanon Middle East

Index Keywords

HIV Infections refugee sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection mass screening risk sexual and gender minority Safe Sex human Refugees statistics and numerical data Sexual and Gender Minorities Unsafe Sex Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult Lebanon Humans Adolescent male questionnaire prostitution prevalence adult Sex Work
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84978636492&doi=10.1007%2fs10461-016-1484-9&partnerID=40&md5=3fe04b0b13382b33376fad22e3e9bb1a
DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1484-9
ISSN: 10907165
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English