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.
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Acknowledgments
This paper could not have been written without the continuous support of all the LGBT research team at the University of Pittsburgh, and the other colleagues within the amfAR scholars program. Support from the University of Pittsburgh IRB and the Lebanese American University IRB in reviewing the protocols also deserve recognition, and financial support from the Foundation for AIDS research, amfAR. Acknowledgment and grateful recognition also is due to Marsa—sexual health center in Beirut, Lebanon for generously offering its premises as the site of data collection. I would like to finally acknowledge the support of the MSM refugee community in Beirut, especially the group of men who participated in the study, all of my colleagues and my personal research mentor, Dr. Glenn Wagner.
Funding
This paper was supported by two awards from amfAR—The Foundation for AIDS Research: 108471 “A training program for research among MSM in developing world settings” (Pittsburgh) and 108801 “HIV research among MSM in developing world settings” (Lebanon).
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Author Johnny Tohme declares that he has no conflict of interest. Co-authors James E Egan, Ronald Stall, Jacques Mokhbat and Glenn Wagner declare that they had no conflict of interest.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. IRB approval for the study protocol was obtained from both the University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA and the Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Tohme, J., Egan, J.E., Stall, R. et al. HIV Prevalence and Demographic Determinants of Unprotected Anal Sex and HIV Testing among Male Refugees Who have Sex with Men in Beirut, Lebanon. AIDS Behav 20 (Suppl 3), 408–416 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1484-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1484-9