Prevalence of Non-contact and Contact Childhood Sexual Abuse: An Internet-based Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2017 Apr 11

PMID 28394934

Citations 2

Authors

Wenjian Xu

Lijun Zheng

Yong Zheng

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is high among Western men who have sex with men (MSM), and CSA is associated with certain socio-demographic variables and with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. Little is known about CSA among Chinese MSM; therefore, we explored the prevalence and frequency of non-contact (e.g., sexual invitations, exhibitionism) and contact (e.g., intercourse, genital contact) forms of CSA in an Internet-based sample of MSM in China. We also examined the associations between the participants' socio-demographic characteristics and HIV status, and their histories of CSA.

Methods: We surveyed MSM from 30 Chinese provinces in 2014-2015; 1,030 (mean age = 25.15 years, SD = 6.32) and 1,020 (mean age = 25.05 years, SD = 5.95) respondents were eligible for inclusion in the non-contact and contact CSA groups, respectively.

Results: Prevalence of non-contact and contact CSA was 36.2% and 29.8%, respectively; 20.4% and 15.0% had experienced non-contact and contact CSA ≥ 3 times, respectively. Most respondents were young adults, well educated, single, had never "come out," and self-identified as gay or bisexual men. Univariate analyses showed that respondents who had experienced contact CSA were more likely to be HIV-positive than those who had never experienced contact CSA. Multivariate analyses showed that non-contact CSA was associated with less education, being in a relationship with a woman or a man, and having "come out." Contact CSA was associated with less education, higher income, and being in a relationship with a man. Respondents who had experienced non-contact CSA ≥ 3 times were more likely to be less educated, "out," and to be in a relationship with a woman or a man. Respondents who had experienced contact CSA ≥ 3 times were more likely to be less educated and to be in a relationship with a man.

Conclusions: It is necessary to pay closer attention to CSA among MSM and other sexual minorities in China.

Citing Articles

Syndemic Conditions, Sexual Risk Behavior, and HIV Infection Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Taiwan.

Chuang D, Newman P, Fang L, Lai M AIDS Behav. 2021; 25(11):3503-3518.

PMID: 33950337 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03269-x.

Predictors of Recent HIV Testing Among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Barrier Perspective.

Xu W, Zheng Y, Kaufman M AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2018; 32(10):408-417.

PMID: 30234365 PMC: 6909725. DOI: 10.1089/apc.2018.0061.

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