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. 2020 Aug;32(8):954-958.
doi: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1734174. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Group sex, suicidality and online partners: implications for HIV and suicide prevention: a short report

Yamol Kongjareon  1 , Nattharat Samoh  1 , Sin How Lim  2 , Pimnara Peerawaranun  1 , Kai J Jonas  3 , Thomas E Guadamuz  1   4
Affiliations

Group sex, suicidality and online partners: implications for HIV and suicide prevention: a short report

Yamol Kongjareon et al. AIDS Care. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

HIV-related factors and suicide-risk status were assessed among YMSM aged 18-24 years recruited through various MSM-related online social apps in Bangkok (N = 1394). The online survey assessed demographic characteristics, sexual behaviours and suicide-risk status. Measure of suicide risk was taken from the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (cut-off score of seven or higher). Among participants, 249 (17.9%) reported suicide-risk. In multivariable logistic regression, correlates of suicide-risk status included having sometimes or often ever participated in group sex (AOR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.17-2.14), having received money or opportunities for sex (AOR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.09-2.17), often seeking partners online (AOR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.05-2.39), inconsistent condom use (AOR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.26-2.21), and self-assessed as having "medium" or "high" HIV risk (AOR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.61-3.98 and AOR=3.35, 95% CI: 1.92-5.82, respectively). Findings suggest that HIV risk behaviours shown by YMSM are significantly associated with higher risk of suicide.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; Suicide-risk; Thailand; YMSM; sexual behaviour.

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