Sexual risk behaviour, sexual victimisation, substance use and other factors related to depression in men who have sex with men in Wenzhou, China: a cross-sectional study

Objectives

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a marginalised population at high risk for a variety of mental health problems that may mutually facilitate HIV transmission. We assessed factors associated with depressive symptoms among MSM, which can provide some guidance for future mental health interventions with the MSM population for prevention of HIV infection and transmission.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wenzhou city, China using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) between December 2013 and June 2014. A face-to-face questionnaire survey was employed to collect information about mental and psychosocial health conditions and sexual behaviour characteristics among MSM. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with major depressive symptoms.

Results

Of the 454 participants in the study, prevalence of major depressive symptoms was 34.6%. During the past 6 months, 85% had anal sex with men, and rate of consistent condom use during anal intercourse was 45.1%. Of the respondents, 16.1% reported suicidal ideation, 62.6% had a history of smoking and 41.4% had a history of drinking alcohol, of which 46.3% reported that they were once drunk. Drug use was reported in 3.7% of the sample. Adult sexual violence from same-sex partners was 7.9%, and 5.1% reported childhood sexual abuse. ARDS-weighted multivariable analysis showed that major depressive symptoms among MSM were associated with inconsistent condom use during anal sex with men, multiple oral male sexual partners, suicidal ideation, adult sexual violence from male partners and being once drunk in the past year.

Conclusion

We found high levels of depressive symptoms, unprotected sex and suicidal ideation among MSM. Comprehensive intervention strategies that combine psychological, behavioural and social aspects are needed to address the mental health issues of MSM, with special attention given to suicidality and high-risk behaviours in mental health and HIV prevention interventions.

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