Factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse and age among men who have sex with men who are gay bar customers in Osaka, Japan.

BACKGROUND

HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) are increasing in Japan.

METHOD: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire among clients of a gay bar in Osaka was used to analyse the relationship between age and unprotected anal sex (UAI).

RESULTS

The highest rate of UAI was reported among those aged ≥45 (73.3%), followed by the ≤24 (60.7%), 25-34 (56.3%) and 35-44 (54.0%) age groups (P=0.01). In multivariate analysis, UAI was related to sex with six or more sexual partners among those aged ≤24 (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 4.88; confidence interval (CI), 1.21-19.74), bisexual identity (AOR, 2.47; CI, 1.06-5.76) and drug use (AOR, 0.49; CI, 0.26-0.93 for no drug use) in the 25-34 age group, and no lifetime HIV testing in the 35-44 age group (AOR, 2.57; CI, 1.40-4.74). Condom purchasing and condom carrying were protective of UAI in 25-34, 35-44 and ≥45 age groups.

CONCLUSION

Programs promoting condom use are needed for younger and older MSM.