Marseille 2007
| Abstract #198 - Psychosocial Risk Profiles of Men having Sex with Men (MSM) among the Omega Cohort (1996-2003), Montreal, Quebec, Canada | ||||
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Session: 30.2: Sex and sexuality (Parallel) on Tuesday @ 11.00-12.30 in CP Chaired by Peter Weatherburn, Linda Pride Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Martin Blais - Univ. du Quebec Montreal, Canada |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Joanne Otis, Mrs Marie-Eve Girard, Mr Simon-Louis Lajeunesse, Dr Michel Alary, Dr Robert R. Remis, Mr Ren Lavoie, Mr Roger LeClerc, Dr Jean Vincelette, Dr Bruno Turmel, Dr Benot Masse, | ||||
| Aim: Identify risk profiles of men having sex with men (MSM) among the Omega Cohort of Montreal (Montral, Qubec, Canada). | ||||
| Method / Issue: 1) Based on psychosocial and behavioral data collected from 1889 MSM Montrealers on a period of 7 years (Cohort Omega), the psychosocial variables predicting the occurrence of at-risk anal relations (RAR) were identified : perception of behavioral control toward condom use (PBC); perceived risk of someday being infected with HIV; anxiety regarding HIV; feeling of invulnerability toward HIV infection; perception of anal relations being the absolute sexual pleasure; sensation seeking; sexual sensation seeking; sexual compulsion; the anticipation of sexual pleasure from erotic conversations or substance use; the level of excitement experienced when using a condom for oral sex; and difficulties with their sexual orientation. 2) These variables were the subject of a Latent Profile Analysis in Mplus 4.2 (Muthn & Muthn, 1998-2006). The values of the Loglikelihood, the BIC, LMR Adj. Test and the Bootstrapped LRT served as criteria to identify the best solution. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Five profiles were identified. These profiles demonstrated a predictive validity of the RAR and sexual preferences. The MSM of the Sensation Seekers Profile (15%) report very diversified sexual practices and a high level of sensation seeking and sexual sensation seeking. They attribute great importance to received anal sex and perceive it as a source of sexual pleasure, fusion and domination. They report a high level of PBC. 53% of these men had at least one RAR within a period of two years and, on average, 3.3% of their anal relations were unprotected. The MSM of the Reserved Profile (65%) report few risk factors and a more conventional sexuality. 24% of these men had at least one RAR within a period of two years and, on average, 1.5% of their anal relations were unprotected. The MSM of the Invisibles Profile (9%) are outside of the gay community and report difficulties accepting their sexual orientation. 29% of these men had at least one RAR within a period of two years and, on average, 2.1% of their anal relations were unprotected. The MSM of the Fatalists Profile (6%) attribute great importance to received anal sex and report a low level of intention to protect themselves with at-risk partners, a low level of PBC along with the perception that they will someday be infected with HIV. 67% of these men had at least one RAR within a period of two years and, on average, 6% of their anal relations were unprotected. The MSM of the Invincibles Profile (5%) report a low level of intention to protect themselves, a low level of PBC, along with an more important feeling of invulnerability toward HIV infection. 50% of these men had at least one RAR within a period of two years and, on average, 7% of their anal relations were unprotected. | ||||
| Discussion: Many risk profiles exist within the MSM population. Belonging to these profiles predicts the specific combinations of risk factors that should be the subject of specific preventive strategies. Examples of these strategies will be proposed. | ||||
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