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Correlates of Forced Sex Among Populations of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Thailand

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Abstract

Although forced sex is a correlate of HIV infection, its prevalence and associated risks are not well described among men who have sex with men (MSM) in developing-country settings. Between March and October 2005, we assessed the prevalence of forced sex and correlates among populations of MSM (this includes general MSM, male sex workers, and male-to-female transgender persons) in Thailand using a community-based sample. Participants were enrolled from venues around Bangkok, Chiangmai, and Phuket using venue day-time sampling. Handheld computer-assisted self-interviewing was used to collect demographic and behavioral data and logistic regression evaluated factors associated with forced sex, defined as ever being forced to have sexual intercourse against one’s will. Of the 2,049 participants (M age, 24.8 years), a history of forced sex was reported by 376 (18.4%) men and, of these, most were forced by someone they knew (83.8%), forced more than once (67.3%), and had first occurrence during adolescence (55.1%). In multivariate analysis, having a history of forced sex was significantly associated with being recruited in Phuket, classification as general MSM or transgender (versus classification as male sex worker), drug use, increased number of male sexual partners, and buying sex. The findings in our assessment were consistent with assessments from Western countries. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of the relationships between forced sex correlates found in our assessment and HIV acquisition and transmission risks.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the participants in the assessment. We would like to thank the following individuals for contributing to this study: S. Naorat, P. Akarasewi, C. Kittinunvorakoon, P. Wasinrapee, S. Kurachit, B. Jumtee, N. Tippanont, T. Chemnasiri, and W. Thienkrua of the Thailand Ministry of Public Health–U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Collaboration; S. Thanprasertsuk and P. Sirivongrangson of the Department of Disease Control, Thailand Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi; S. Tantipaibulvut, A. Jamrasrak, and P. Chuariyakul of the AIDS Research Centre, Thai Red Cross Society; and K. Kanggarnrua of the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand. The assessment was funded by the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. T. E. Guadamuz was supported by the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F31 AI064144) from the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thailand Ministry of Public Health–U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Collaboration, DDC7 Building, Nonthaburi, 11000, Thailand

    Thomas E. Guadamuz, Wipas Wimonsate, Anchalee Varangrat, Philip A. Mock, Jordan W. Tappero & Frits van Griensven

  2. Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Thomas E. Guadamuz

  3. AIDS Research Centre, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand

    Praphan Phanuphak

  4. Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand

    Rapeepun Jommaroeng

  5. Global AIDS Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Jordan W. Tappero

  6. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Frits van Griensven

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  1. Thomas E. Guadamuz
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Correspondence to Frits van Griensven.

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Guadamuz, T.E., Wimonsate, W., Varangrat, A. et al. Correlates of Forced Sex Among Populations of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Thailand. Arch Sex Behav 40, 259–266 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-009-9557-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-009-9557-8

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