LAMIS-2018 – EMIS

International Journal of Sexual Health, 2025 (doi: 10.1080/19317611.2025.2573694).

Authors: Joselito Malca-Hernandez, Michael Reyes-Diaz, Axel J Schmidt & Carlos F. Caceres

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the prevalence and geographic distribution of homonegative abuse (HA) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Peru and its association with HIV/STI testing.

Methods: We analyzed data from 1,934 MSM from Peru who participated in the 2018 Latin American Men Internet Survey (LAMIS). We assessed the prevalence and geographic distribution of HA (intimidation, verbal abuse, and physical violence due to sexual orientation) across four macro-regions: Lima/Callao, Coast, Highlands, and Amazonia. Associations with sociodemographic characteristics and HIV/STI testing behavior were explored through comparative analyses, using prevalence ratios adjusted for key sociodemographic variables.

Results: Approximately 61% of participants reported HA in the previous year. Intimidation (56%) was the most common, followed by verbal abuse (34%) and physical violence (4%).HA was more prevalent in the Coast (67%) and Highlands (66%) than in Lima/Callao (59%). Factors positively associated with recent HA included younger age, financial hardship, lower education, gay identity, and high levels of outness. No significant association was found between HA and HIV/STI testing.

Conclusions: HA is prevalent among Peruvian MSM, especially outside the capital macro-region (Lima/Callao). These findings highlight the need for further research to investigatewhether specific sources of HA may be linked to reduced use of sexual healthcare services among MSM in Peru and support targeted interventions addressing the sociocultural contexts that perpetuate abuse against MSM in Peru.

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Sexual Health, 2024; 21, SH23112 (doi: 10.1071/SH23112).

Authors: Ibrahim Sönmez, Nicolas Lorente, Jocelyn Mesías-Gazmuri, Axel J. Schmidt, Kai J. Jonas, Valeria Stuardo Avila, Ulrich Marcus, Maria Amelia Veras, Jordi Casabona Barbarà, Cinta Folch.

Abstract

Background. In Latin American countries and Suriname, sexual transmission is one of the most common modes of HIV transmission, and men who have sex with men (MSM) who engage in sex work constitute a key population.

Methods. In a sample of MSM (N = 53,166) from the Latin American Internet Survey (2018) across 18 countries, we examined how sex work engagement is associated with syndemic conditions (multidrug use, homophobic abuse, depression/anxiety, alcohol dependency (CAGE alcohol questionnaire) and internalised homonegativity) and condomless anal intercourse with non-steady male partners using separate logistic regressions. We then used a structural equation model to determine if and how syndemic conditions mediate the relationship between sex work engagement and non-steady male partners.

Results. We found that getting paid for sex was associated with less condom use for anal intercourse with non-steady male partners and particular syndemic conditions, such as multidrug use, homophobic abuse and alcohol dependency. In our structural equation model, the results showed that the direct relationship between sex work engagement and non-steady male partners was positive and significant, and syndemic conditions partially mediated this relationship.

Conclusion. Our results highlight the continuing need for including MSM who engage in sex work and those who experience syndemic conditions in the prevention strategies targeted to MSM in Latin America and Suriname, to prevent the transmission of HIV.

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