Factors related to unprotected sex in men having sex with men (MSM) in Mandalay, Myanmar

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is the widely spread communicable disease and major public health problem of the world among MSM. The main aim of this study was to study the factors related to unprotected sex among MSM in Mandalay, Myanmar. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Mandalay, Myanmar. For this study MSM aged between 15 to 50 years of total 309 MSM from seven townships were studied. Mandalay was selected by using purposive sampling method and MSM were identified by using Snow ball sampling methods. Simple logistic regression analysis is adopted in the stage of bivariable analysis in order to select appropriate independent factors for further binary logistic analysis with p value <0.25 and for further indicate factors independently associated with the outcome and to identify the relative importance among determinants, binary logistic regression analysis using ‘backward Wald’ stepwise method is used at significant level of 0.05. Among three kinds of 309 of respondents, 17.5 % was Apone (Musculine MSM), 62.1 % was Apwint (Feminine MSM) whereas 20.4 % was Tha Nge (Bisexual). 55.7% worked as Nat-Kadaw (Spirit medium) and worked in fashion sectors. Always condom use for anal sex with partner in the past 4 months was only 56.6%. In bivariate analysis, the results showed that age at first anal sex with a man was positively associated with condom use for anal sex with partner in the past 4 months (p < 0.001) and used condom more as age older. There was strongly and positively association between forced to have sexual intercourse against will and condom use having p-value 0.010. In multivariate analysis, Current age was that was not significant at p value of <0.05 associated in bi-variate become to be positively associated with the use of condoms with sexual partner (p = 0.039). Forced to have sex against will and condom use maintained significant (p = 0.009). For the service satisfaction given by the organization is highly satisfied by the respondents but there is still need to provide focused information and life skills training. MSM organizations should involve Apwint (Feminine MSM) in their work more extensively because they are the best channel to convey information and distribute condom to other kind of MSM. For further study, investigate the reasons for non condom use among MSM by using qualitative research and specific questions in questionnaire based quantitative research. It is necessary to update published information about the reasons for no condom use because these reasons keep change over time.