[Factors associated with infrequent condom use amongst men having sex with other men in Ciudad Juárez]

Abstract

Objective: Analysing the factors associated with inconsistent condom use amongst men having sex with other men (MSM) in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.

Materials and methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional analytic study using a convenience sample (n=186) of MSM from Ciudad Juarez. Socioeconomic status, attitudes toward condom use, drug use, alcohol consumption, sexual orientation were considered as independent variables. Dependent variables were sexual behaviour related to HIV infection (inconsistent condom use in anal penetration and receiving semen in the mouth or anus).

Results: Whereas 30 % of the MSM interviewed infrequently used a condom when they practiced receptive anal sex, when they had insertive anal sex, 39.1 % reported receiving semen in the mouth and 35.5 % in the anus. Multivariate logistic regression models were used, observing that the groups of men having the highest probability of risky sexual behavior (compared to their counterparts) were younger men (<20 years), those earning medium income, those having a negative attitude towards condom use, men using drugs or alcohol and those who reported homosexual identity.

Conclusions: An important percentage of MSM infrequently used a condom. The implications of our findings should be used when designing programmes for promoting condom use amongst MSM.