Comparison of depression and anxiety between HIV-negative men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) and men who have sex with men only (MSMO): a cross-sectional study in Western China

Objective

To compare the prevalence of depression, anxiety and comorbidity between HIV-negative men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) and men who have sex with men only (MSMO) and examine the associated factors with depression and anxiety separately.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

The study was conducted in Western China.

Participants

From April 2013 to October 2014, 2422 participants aged 18–65 years, who were male at birth, had engaged in sex with male partners in the past 6 months, self-reported negative or unknown HIV status, were willing to participate and provided informed consent were recruited using non-probability sampling. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. A total of 1809 HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) were eligible for the final analysis.

Results

Of 1809 MSM, 16.1% were MSMW and 83.9% were MSMO. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and comorbidity was 50.86%, 36.43% and 32.65%, respectively, for MSMW; these results were higher than those for MSMO (35.18%, 23.52% and 18.91%, respectively). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the prevalence of depression and anxiety was higher among MSMW than among MSMO. The prevalence of depression and/or anxiety was associated with young age, lower educational level, lower monthly income, lower HIV score and some risky sexual behaviour (had never engaged in HIV counselling, had obtained commercial sexual services in the past 6 months and sometimes/always looked for sexual partners through the internet). The prevalence of depression and anxiety was lower for those who drank less than once a week than for those who never drank.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest the need to address mental health among MSMW. Future health intervention strategies should integrate mental health services and traditional HIV prevention programmes and should consider the differences between MSMW and MSMO.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR-TRC-13003849; Pre-results.

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