title: HIV Prevalence and Demographic Determinants of Unprotected Anal Sex and HIV Testing among Male Refugees Who have Sex with Men in Beirut, Lebanon.
abstract: Men who have sex with men (MSM), the same as refugees are at higher risk for health issues including HIV infection. With the large influx of refugees to Lebanon, and to better understand HIV transmission in this setting, we explored the socio-demographic correlates of condom use and HIV testing among MSM refugees in Beirut, by surveying and testing 150 participants. 67 % self-identified as gay, 84.6 % of respondents reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the prior 3 months, and 56.7 % with men of positive or unknown HIV status (UAIPU). 2.7 % tested positive for HIV, and 36 % reported having engaged in sex work. Men in a relationship and men who self-identified as gay had higher odds of UAI, of ever been tested, but lower odds of UAIPU. HIV prevention and testing promotion efforts targeting MSM refugees need to account for how men self-identify in relation to their sexual behavior and relationship status. Such efforts also should place emphasis on MSM of lower socio-economic status.
authors.affiliation: M-Coalition, Coalition of MSM and HIV activists in the MENA region, Beirut, Lebanon. tohme.johnny@gmail.com.|, 1485 Clayton Street, San Francisco, CA, 94114, USA. tohme.johnny@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6021-413X
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tohme
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stall
authors.affiliation: RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Jaques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mokhbat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015995:Prevalence; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012306:Risk; D021841:Safe Sex; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Condom use; HIV; HIV testing; Lebanon; MENA region; MSM; Middle East; Refugees