Same-Sex Sexual Attraction, Behavior & Practices of Jewish Men in Israel & the Association with HIV Prevalence

In order to efficiently direct efforts and resources required for the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Israel, it is necessary to define their particular behaviors, estimate their size, and asses the HIV-burden. 

This cross-sectional study included a sub-sample from a random representative National study performed in Israel, which included Jewish males aged 18-44 who completed online anonymous questionnaires regarding their sexual attraction and practices, commercial sex-work, as well as condom and substances' use. 

Additionally, participants were asked to identify themselves as gay, bisexual, or heterosexual. National estimates regarding prevalence of risk-behaviors and HIV-infection among MSM were based on the Statistical Abstract of Israel and the National HIV Registry, respectively. Of the total sample of 997 men, 11.9% reported lifetime male sex encounters, while 4.5% and 3.7% self-identified as gay or bisexual, respectively. 

The estimated population of self-identified Jewish gays/bisexuals aged 18-44 in Israel was 94,176, and in Tel-Aviv 33,839. HIV prevalence among MSM was estimated at 0.7% in Israel and 1.0% in Tel-Aviv. MSM were more likely to live in Tel-Aviv, had higher levels of education, and were scored higher on several determinants of sexual risk in comparison to those attracted to women, including early sexual debut, greater number of sexual partners, ever paid/been paid for sex, sexually coerced, and substance use. 

In conclusion, MSM were involved in greater risk behaviors than those who only had female sex partners. Most MSM were living in Tel-Aviv and their estimated HIV prevalence was 1.0%.

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By:  Mor Z1, Davidovich U2.

• 1 Ramla Department of Health , Ministry of Health , Ramla , Israel.
• 2 GGD , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
• AIDS Care. 2016 Feb 17:1-4. 

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LBGTQ Populations and the Health Care System

Via:  http://goo.gl/iEaUk8

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Sexual Orientation Change Efforts Through Psychotherapy for LGBQ Individuals Affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

This study reports the results of a comprehensive online survey of 1,612 current or former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, many of whom engaged in psychotherapy to cope with (i.e., understand, accept, or change) their same-sex attractions. 

Data obtained from written and quantitative responses showed that therapy was initiated over a very wide age range and continued for many years. However, counseling was largely ineffective; less than 4% reported any modification of core same-sex erotic attraction. Moreover, 42% reported that their change-oriented therapy was not at all effective, and 37% found it to be moderately to severely harmful. In contrast, affirming psychotherapeutic strategies were often found to be beneficial in reducing depression, increasing self-esteem, and improving family and other relationships. 

Results suggest that the very low likelihood of a modification of sexual orientation and the ambiguous nature of any such change should be important considerations for highly religious sexual minority individuals considering reorientation therapy.

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By:  Kate Bradshaw^a, John P. Dehlin^b, Katherine A. Crowell^c, Renee V. Galliher^b & William S. Bradshaw^d*

^a English Department, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA

^b Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA

^c Department of Psychology, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington, USA

^d Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA

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Prevalence and Behavioral Correlates of Depression and Anxiety among Male Sex Workers in Vietnam

OBJECTIVES:

This study assessed depression and anxiety symptoms, and their association with high-risk sexual and drug behaviors, among male sex workers in three Vietnamese cities.

METHODS:

Male sex workers ages 16 to 35 completed an interview that included the CES-D to assess depressive symptoms and the BAI to assess anxiety symptoms, as well as questions assessing drug and sexual risk practices.

RESULTS:

A majority of participants reported depressive symptomatology although fewer report symptoms of anxiety. Risky sexual and drug use practices predicted both types of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mental distress is associated with drug and sexual risk among male sex workers.

Table 3

Sexual attraction, sexual identity and sexual behaviors by city

	Hanoi	Nha Trang	HCMC	Overall	Significance
Sexual attraction
Exclusively/mostly men	15.7%	22.1%	30.5%	23.4%	x2=38.6, p<.001
Both men and women	49.8%	60.4%	35.7%	46.0%
Exclusively women	34.5%	17.5%	33.8%	30.5%
Sexual identity
Think of myself as a man	68.4%	55.8%	60.3%	62.2%	x2=101.1, p<.001
Think of myself as a woman	5.2%	2.6%	8.9%	6.2%
Think of myself as a transgender person	4.8%	14.9%	3.0%	6.2%
Other	1.2%	1.3%	16.7%	7.9%
Not sure	20.4%	25.3%	11.1%	17.5%
Years since first sex work	1.97	2.50	2.82	2.45	F=6.32, p=.002
Elective male partners
Lifetime	30.8%	52.6%	47.1%	42.5%	x2=23.0, p<.001
Current (past 30 days)	18.0%	35.1%	30.7%	27.2%	x2=17.4, p<.001
Elective female partners
Lifetime	83.2%	81.8%	65.0%	75.1%	x2=29.1, p<.001
Recent (past 90 days)	64.8%	61.0%	43.5%	54.8%	x2=28.4, p<.001
UAI last sex work	28.2%	54.5%	24.8%	32.7%	x2=43.7, p<.001

Table 4

Drug use by city

	Hanoi	Nha Trang	HCMC	Overall	Significance
Current drug use (past 30 days)
Alcohol	82.4%	93.5%	80.4%	83.9%	x2=13.75, p=.001
Tobacco	74.4%	73.4%	70.9%	72.7%	n.s.
Marijuana	12.0%	13.0%	6.9%	10.0%	n.s.
Ecstasy	8.0%	12.3%	15.7%	12.3%	x2=7.56, p=.023
Amphetamines	3.6%	8.4%	32.0%	16.9%	x2=89.18, p<.001
Any illicit drug
Lifetime use	52.0%	59.1%	66.0%	59.6%	x2=11.24, p=.004
Current use (past 30 days)	29.2%	28.6%	40.8%	34.1%	x2=10.97, p=.004

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/3VAZQs

By:   Goldsamt LA1, Clatts MC2, Giang LM3, Yu G1.

• 1New York University College of Nursing, New York, NY.
• 2School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR.
• 3Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam. 

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Depression & Anxiety in Patients With & Without Same-Sex Attraction: Differences in Clinical Expression, Lifestyle Factors & Vulnerability Indicators

The aim of this study was to compare clinical expressions (severity and loneliness), lifestyle factors (substance use), and vulnerability indicators (stressful childhood experiences) in patients with any same-sex attraction versus heterosexual patients diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety disorder. Little is known about this, even though it is now well documented that depression and anxiety are more prevalent among persons with same-sex attraction.

Data, derived from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), allowed us to compare patients with a same-sex (n = 122) and an exclusively opposite-sex (n = 1658) attraction. Persons with same-sex attraction included persons who were attracted to both sexes. Data were collected by means of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and paper-and pencil questionnaires.

Seven percent of the patients reported any same-sex orientation. Clinical expression of depression and anxiety did not differ in relation to sexual attraction. Regarding substance use, same-sex attracted women reported more drug use than heterosexual women (drug use: 16.2% vs. 6.6%, P = 0.003). Regarding stressful childhood experiences, men with any same-sex attraction reported more sexual abuse during childhood than men with a heterosexual orientation (20.4% vs. 8.5%, P = 0.005).

Full article at: http://goo.gl/SW1Bpd

By: Henny M W Bos,1 Lynn Boschloo,2 Robert A Schoevers,2 and Theo G M Sandfort3

1Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, 1018 VZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2Faculty of Medical Sciences, Academic Centre of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands

3Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, New York Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, New York, 10032

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