Comparison of Sexual Risky Factors of Men Who Have Sex With Men and Sex-buying Men as Groups Vulnerable to Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Abstract

ObjectivesIt is necessary to examine groups carrying out sexually risky behavior because the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is high among them. In this study, the prevalence of STDs among homosexuals and sex-buying men in South Korea was investigated, along with their sexual risk factors.MethodsMen who have sex with men (MSMs, n=108) were recruited in Seoul and Busan by applying the time location sampling method, while sex-buying men (n=118) were recruited from a john school in Gyeonggi province, the suburbs of Seoul. Dependent variables included past or present infection with syphilis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and human immunodeficiency virus. Independent variables included health behavior, social support, sexual behavior, and safe sex.ResultsIt was found that when the MSMs were non-drunk while having sexual intercourse (odds ratio [OR], 0.132), they showed a higher STD infection rate when they had a higher number of anal sex partners (OR, 5.872), rarely used condoms (OR, 1.980), had lower self-efficacy (OR, 0.229), and were more anxious about becoming infected with an STD (OR, 3.723). However, the men who paid for sex showed high STD infections when they had more sex partners (OR, 2.286) and lower education levels (OR, 3.028).ConclusionsSTD infections among the two groups were high when they were engaged with many sex partners and not having protected sex. In other words, there was a gap in risky sex behavior within such groups, which was significantly related to the possibility of developing an STD. Therefore, the preventive intervention against STDs for these groups needs to be expanded to include management of sex behaviors.

Health disparities between lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults and the general population in South Korea: Rainbow Connection Project I

“…Second, no previous research has compared the health status of lesbian and bisexual individuals with the general population. There were few studies examining health disparities of gay men or men who have sex with men (MSM) [ 16 - 19 ], but there was no study on the health disparities of lesbian and bisexual women. Also, studies on MSM have not distinguished between homosexual and bisexual men [ 16 ].…”

“…There were few studies examining health disparities of gay men or men who have sex with men (MSM) [ 16 - 19 ], but there was no study on the health disparities of lesbian and bisexual women. Also, studies on MSM have not distinguished between homosexual and bisexual men [ 16 ]. Third, studies compared the health status of gay men and MSM with heterosexual adult men sampled these populations separately for their analysis [ 16 - 19 ] and sample size of those studies was relatively small with the largest such study only having 129 MSM participants.…”

“…Also, studies on MSM have not distinguished between homosexual and bisexual men [ 16 ]. Third, studies compared the health status of gay men and MSM with heterosexual adult men sampled these populations separately for their analysis [ 16 - 19 ] and sample size of those studies was relatively small with the largest such study only having 129 MSM participants. Lastly, the health outcomes investigated in the existing studies are limited to only some mental health conditions and health behaviors.…”

Sexual Behavior and Condom Use among Gay Men, Female Sex Workers, and Their Customers: Evidence from South Korea

“…Anxiety over STD infections was measured by subjective feelings about the risk of STD infections [8], while self-efficacy was measured by the questions about how easy or difficult it would be to find condoms that fit properly, to put a condom on correctly, and to use a condom throughout the sexual encounter [28]. Responses varied from 1 (very low) to 4 (very high) for both variables.…”

“…However, preventive intervention in the unseen communities is important because such groups are insensitive to condom use despite concurrent sexual partnerships (CSPs) [4], [5]. For example, groups such as men who have sex with men (MSMs), female sex workers (FSWs), immigrant workers [5]–[7], and male customers who solicit sex from prostitutes (Johns) have recently come under surveillance by the general population [8]. Despite the significance of these groups for STD control in East Asia, few studies have investigated their condom use in terms of the social context.…”