Prevalence, determinants, and trends in the experience and perpetration of intimate partner violence among a cohort of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada (2017-2022)

Abstract

Purpose: Longitudinal data on the experience and perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) is limited. We estimated the prevalence of past six-month (P6M) physical and/or sexual IPV (hereafter IPV) experience and perpetration, identified their determinants, and assessed temporal trends, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We used data from the Engage Cohort Study (2017-2022) of GBM recruited using respondent-driven sampling in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) for determinants and self-reported P6M IPV were estimated using generalized estimating equations, accounting for attrition (inverse probability of censoring weights) and relevant covariates. Longitudinal trends of IPV were also assessed. Results: Between 2017-2022, 1,455 partnered GBM (median age 32 years, 82% gay, and 71% white) had at least one follow-up visit. Baseline proportions were 31% for lifetime IPV experience and 17% for lifetime perpetration. During follow-up, P6M IPV experience was more common (6%, 95%CI: 5-7%) than perpetration (4%, 95%CI: 3-5%). Factors associated with P6M IPV experience include prior IPV experience (aPR=2.79, 95%CI: 1.83-4.27), less education (aPR=2.08, 95%CI: 1.14-3.79), and substance use (injection aPR=5.68, 95%CI: 2.92-11.54, non-injection aPR=1.70, 95%CI: 1.05-2.76). Similar factors were associated with IPV perpetration. IPV was stable over time; periods of COVID-19 restrictions were not associated with IPV changes in this cohort. Conclusion: Prevalence of IPV was high among GBM. Determinants related to marginalization are associated with an increased risk of IPV. Interventions should address these determinants to reduce IPV and improve health.