Role versatility among men who have sex with men in urban Peru.
Role versatility refers to the practice in which individual men who have sex with men (MSM) play both insertive and receptive sexual roles over time. Versatility has been thought to be relatively uncommon among Latin American MSM but possibly rising. Versatility has also been shown to be a potentially large population-level risk factor for HIV infection. In this study we examine the correlates of versatile behavior and identity among 2,655 MSM in six Peruvian cities. Versatile behavior with recent male partners was found in 9% of men and versatile ("moderno") identity was reported by 16%. Significant predictors included high education, white-collar occupation, sex work, and residence in Lima. Age was not significant in any analysis. Since sex work is negatively correlated with other predictors, versatile men appear to comprise two distinct sub-populations. Insertive-only men appear to play a strong role in bridging the HIV epidemic between MSM and women.
Goodreau
Steven M
SM
Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación, Lima, Peru.
Peinado
Jesus
J
Goicochea
Pedro
P
Vergara
Jorge
J
Ojeda
Nora
N
Casapia
Martin
M
Ortiz
Abner
A
Zamalloa
Victoria
V
Galvan
Rosa
R
Sanchez
Jorge R
JR
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D012107:Research Design; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data