Health and Violence among Men Who Have Sex with Men: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Population-Based Survey in Seven Sites across Asia-Pacific

Stephanie Miedema, Emory University
Emma Fulu, Medical Research Council of South Africa
Kristin Dunkle, Emory University

This article presents population-based, comparable cross-sectional data on men who have sex with men (MSM) from seven sites in China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea. The article presents prevalence and characteristics of consensual male-male sex. It compares experiences and perpetration of violence, and health outcomes, between the MSM subsample and the general population (non-MSM subsample). Overall, 10.3% (n=776) of the entire sample (n=7,560) reported male-male consensual sexual behaviours or attraction. The MSM subsample was more likely than the non-MSM subsample to experience violence during childhood and adulthood. Sexual violence perpetration was also significantly higher among the MSM group. Comparison of sexual and mental health outcomes show that MSM were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviours and reported higher rates of negative mental health outcomes than the non-MSM group. The final paper will conclude with implications for health programming among sexual minority communities in Asia-Pacific.