This research aimed to determine HIV prevalence, risk behaviour and knowledge of transmission methods among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Venue-day-time sampling (VDTS) was applied to identify venues where men congregate to solicit sex from other men. Participants recruited from clubs, massage parlours, saunas and one park self-completed a computerized behavioural questionnaire, were administered an oral rapid HIV test and given the opportunity to return later to receive full counselling and learn their HIV status. A total of 517 men were enrolled into the study. The majority were Malays (47.0%) and Chinese (43.7%). Twenty tested HIV positive (3.9%). Significant predictors of HIV infection included having unprotected anal sex with a casual partner (44.9% of participants, odds ratio [OR] = 2.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-7.90; P = 0.027), having unprotected receptive anal sex (27.9%, OR = 2.71; 95% CI 1.10-6.54; P = 0.030) and having group sex (33.3%, OR = 3.95; 95% CI 1.55-10.09; P = 0.004). One in five participants (20.1% and 19.5%) did not believe that HIV could be transmitted through insertive or receptive anal sex, respectively. Risk behaviour is high and knowledge of HIV transmission methods was low among MSM in Kuala Lumpur. Future prevention efforts should focus on providing risk reduction education to this community.

2015): Shame, internalized homonegativity, and religiosity: A comparison of the stigmatization associated with minority stress with gay men in Australia AbstractIn this study we explore aspects of minority stress by comparing Malaysian (n = 234) andAustralian (n = 123) gay men on internalized homonegativity (IH) and internalized shame (IS) in a 2 x 2 multivariate analysis (country x relationship status). Religious motivation (RM) was also included as a variable due to the importance of religion in Malaysia as compared to Australia.Malaysian gay men scored higher on IH, IS, and RM. Single men reported higher levels of IS than did those in relationships. These results are discussed in terms of the minority stress model (Meyer, 2003).The effects of stigmatization on individuals have included interpersonal conflict, violence, and even wars, and the psychological impacts on the stigmatized have concerned sociologists and psychologists for many years. Allport (1954) wrote about prejudice and its consequences on those who were targeted resulting in defensive reactions such as self-hate, shyness, obsessive concern with the defining characteristic, and rebellion. Later, Goffman (1963) framed this discussion around stigmatization and how the attitudes of a dominant society could have disastrous consequences on those who were defined as minorities and subsequently marginalized and stigmatized. In this study, stigmatization was explored through the minority stress model (Meyer, 2003). Minority Stress ModelThe stigmatizing aspect of being a minority was central to Meyer's (1995;2003) minority stress model that he applied to lesbians, gay men, and bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.He identified three stressors as contributing to minority stress in these populations: 1.Internalized homonegativity (IH) was related to a poor sense of self as LGBT people turned the societal disdain inward; 2. Stigmatization was the internalization of societal stigma resulting in feelings of rejection; and 3. Discrimination, which could include violence against LGBT people, was experienced at the hands of the dominant, often disapproving culture. Meyer concluded that these three factors had a negative impact on the mental health of LGBT people due to additional prolonged stress that these individuals felt when compared with others who are part of the dominant culture. Downloaded by [New York University] at 02:16 21 July 2015 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 4 Variables Related to Minority Stress -Internalized homonegativity‖ was linked theoretically to minority stress by Meyer (2003), as indicated above. The term -internalized homophobia‖ was previously coined, suggesting that the homophobia in society was internalized by gay people and directed towards them leading to self loathing, mirroring the prejudice focused on them by society. However, the term is somewhat pejorative in the sense that it attaches blame towards gay people instead of society, and thus IH has thus been adopted as a more neutral term to refer to this process. Brown ...

Identifying roles for anal sex is an important issue for populations of MSM. We describe the prevalence of identifying as being 'top', 'bottom', 'versatile', or 'don't know/not applicable' among Malay and Chinese MSM in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and behavioural outcomes according to these labels for sexual role identity. Data analysis was conducted on a survey administered during weekly outreach throughout Kuala Lumpur in 2012. Pearson's Chi square tests were used to compare demographic and behavioural characteristics of MSM who reported roles for anal sex. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the odds of behavioural outcomes among MSM who identified as 'bottom', 'versatile,' and 'don't know' compared to MSM who reported that 'top' was their sexual role. Labels for anal sex roles were significantly associated with condom use for last anal sex. Among MSM who used labels for anal sex roles, MSM who identified as 'bottom' had highest level of not using condoms for last anal sex (24.1%, p = .045). In binary logistic regression model, identifying as 'top' was significantly associated with reporting using a condom during last anal sex and reported consistent condom use for anal sex in the past six months (p = .039 and .017, respectively). With regard to sexual role identity, some MSM may be a part of a special subgroup of at-risk men to be targeted. Future research should evaluate the origins, meanings, and perceptions of these labels, and the developmental process of how these MSM identify with any of these categories. Research should also uncover condom use decision making with regard to these labels for sexual positioning.

In Malaysia, homosexuality is illegal; little is known about access to HIV prevention services among Malaysian men who have sex with men (MSM). We analysed PT Foundation outreach data to describe the profiles among MSM who accessed PT Foundation services and to examine factors associated with being aware of PT Foundation and having visited the organization. A survey was administered during weekly outreach throughout Kuala Lumpur from March-December 2012. Pearson's Chi square tests were used to compare demographic and behavioural characteristics of participants who were and were not aware of the PT Foundation. Binary logistic regression was used to identify correlates of MSM visiting the PT Foundation among those who had heard of the organization. Of 614 MSM, this study found significantly higher awareness of the PT Foundation among MSM who perceived they had "good" HIV knowledge (p = .026) and participants who reported always using condoms (p = .009). MSM who reported being paid for sex were 2.81 times as likely to visit the PT Foundation compared to men who did not. A subgroup of MSM known to be at high risk for HIV infection is accessing prevention services. Future studies should uncover motivations and barriers of accessing these services among MSM in Malaysia.