A study of HIV risky behaviors and Self-esteem among men who have sex with men (MSM) at RSAT Medical Technology Clinic Ramkhamhaeng
Keywords:
HIV/AIDS, HIV Risky behaviors, Self-Esteem, men who have sex with men, MSMAbstract
Background: Nowadays, studies show that the rate at which men who have sex with men (MSM) contract human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains the highest among ordinary people. Therefore, a reduction in contracting HIV with the support of caring individuals and self-protection is a must.
Objective: To study the association of HIV risk behaviors, self-esteem, and related factors among MSM at Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT) Medical Technology Clinic Ramkhamhaeng.
Methods: Data were collected from 358 MSM clients at RSAT MT Clinic by using questionnaires including: 1) demographic questionnaire; 2) an HIV/AIDS knowledge test; 3) The Coppersmith Self-Esteem Inventory Adult Form; and, 4) an HIV risky behavior questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-Square and multiple logistic regression analysis) were used to evaluate the data.
Results: Most MSM subjects had permanent sexual partners (61.7%) while others non-permanent sexual partners (56.4%); 57.5% had high self-esteem, whereas 69.3% had moderate HIV risky behaviors. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that four factors were significantly associated with HIV risky behaviors: those with insufficient income had 3 times incidence of HIV risky behaviors than those with sufficient income adjusted odds ratio(AOR) = 2.875, 95% CI: 1.196 - 6.914, P = 0.018), education level lower than Bachelor’s Degree had 6 times the incidence of risky behavior than master’s degree or higher (AOR = 5.979, 95% CI: 1.120 - 31.936, P = .036), having non-permanent sexual partner had 9 times the incident rate of risky behavior than those who do not (AOR = 9.434, 95% CI: 3.784 - 23.522, P < 0.001); meanwhile, low self-esteem had 38 times the possibility of HIV risky behaviors than those with high self-esteem (AOR = 37.864, 95% CI: 7.610 - 188.380, P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Factors related to HIV risky behaviors include low self-esteem, insufficient income, education level, and having non-permanent partners. The most prominent contributing factor is low self-esteem. Therefore, raising one’s self-esteem is crucial to develop a sense of safe behavior and practices
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