Prevalence of suicidal ideation and associated factors among HIV-positive MSM in Anhui, China

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with suicidal ideation among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Anhui, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit HIV-positive MSM in Anhui, China. A total of 184 HIV-positive MSM gave informed consent and completed the interview. Correlates of suicidal ideation were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Fifty-seven (31%) of HIV-positive MSM had suicidal ideations within six months before the interview. Multivariable analyses showed that learning of their HIV status in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.6-7.3), perceived HIV stigma (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.1-5.2), depression symptoms (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.1-5.9) and anxiety symptoms (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.2-6.1) were significantly associated with the suicidal ideation among HIV-positive MSM. The results indicated that suicidal ideation was common among HIV-positive MSM in Anhui, China. There is an urgent need to establish psychological counselling services among HIV-positive MSM in China. Targeting of these potential risk factors could be an effective approach to reduce the suicide risk among this high-risk subgroup by the implementation of early intervention measurements.

A structural equation model of perceived and internalized stigma, depression, and suicidal status among people living with HIV/AIDS

“…Findings of high proportions of suicidal ideation (29.7%) and suicidal attempt (9.0%) among PLWH in the current study were similar to those of an earlier study of 184 HIV-seropositive MSM in Anhui province of China (suicidal ideation 31.0% and suicidal attempt 5.4%) [24]. Though the two studies had similar proportions of suicidal ideation, the Anhui study collected information on suicide 6 months prior to the study, whereas the present study collected suicidal information since HIV-seropositive diagnosis and the median duration since HIV diagnosis was 2.7 years.…”

“…Among the PLWH who were homosexual/bisexual, two-thirds (66.4%) were never married. PLWH who were homosexual/bisexual were facing double stigma from both HIV infection and sexual orientation [24, 45–47]. In the traditional Chinese culture, getting married, bearing children, and carrying on family names are considered to be the most important responsibilities for men [45, 47].…”

“…Most studies on suicidal status in PLWH were conducted in the western countries, with few studies reported from developing countries such as China [19–21, 24–27]. Among the few, one study, conducted among 184 HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Anhui province of China reported that 31% and 5.4% of the participants had had suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt respectively in the past six months.…”

“…Among the few, one study, conducted among 184 HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Anhui province of China reported that 31% and 5.4% of the participants had had suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt respectively in the past six months. The previous study also found that both perceived stigma and depression were significantly associated with increased likelihood of suicidal ideation in HIV-seropositive MSM [24]. Existing studies on stigma, depression, and suicide among PLWH have typically employed relational analyses demonstrating associations between these concepts, few have examined the mediating effect and mechanisms among these concepts.…”

Association of recent gay‐related stressful events and emotional distress with suicidal behaviors over 12 months in Chinese men who have sex with men

“…There are an estimated 17.8 million MSM in China, and some studies showed that Chinese MSM experienced high levels of gay‐related prejudice or stigma (Feng, Wu, & Detels, ; Li, et al, ; Liu & Choi, ) and significantly elevated prevalence of psychiatric disorders (Yu et al, ), emotional symptoms (Huang et al, ; Zhang, et al, ), and suicidal behaviors (Wu et al, ; Wang et al, ; Yu, ; Zhang et al, ; Zheng, Wang, Wu, Zhang, & Pi, ; Zhang, Wang, Zheng, Xu, & Wang, ). Despite the growing interest in identification of the risk factors for suicidality in the Chinese population of MSM, few studies have systematically assessed the risk factors for suicidal behaviors by use of international standardized questionnaires and instruments.…”