Socioeconomic, Behavioural, and Protective Factors Influences on the Combined Prevention of HIV Infection Among Brazilian Amazon Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Cross-Sectional Study.

UNLABELLED: We analysed the socioeconomic, behavioural, and protection factors (PFs) influences on the HIV combined prevention (CP) strategy among Brazilian Amazonian men who have sex with men (MSMs). PFs are resources that reduce the effect of adversity and help people maintain their well-being.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study employing a convenient sample of MSMs living in the metropolitan region of Belém. A questionnaire containing socioeconomic, behavioural, PFs, and behaviour/knowledge concerning CP questions was used. "Behaviour/knowledge concerning CP" was defined as a dependent variable and received a maximum score of 16 points. The Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and multiple linear regression were employed.

RESULTS

Our sample comprised 384 MSMs scoring an average of 7.83 points (±1.9). Contributing to lower scores were "not talking about sex life with confidants", "not talking with work colleagues about personal life and sexually transmissible infections", and "not participating in non-governmental organisations." On the other hand, "not being happy in the neighbourhood of residency" contributed to higher scores.

CONCLUSION

Peer support and social inclusion are essential for increasing MSMs' access to CP.