Longitudinal impact of stressful life events on HIV-related risk and psychosocial problems among MSM in Chennai and Mumbai, India

• Published in: International journal of STD & AIDS Vol. 34; no. 6; p. 416
• Main Authors: Lodge Ii, William, Biello, Katie, Thomas, Beena, Rawat, Shruta, Baruah, Dicky, Dange, Alpana, Anand, Vivek, Swaminathan, Soumya, Kumar, Senthil, Balu, Vinoth, Menon, Sunil, O'Cleirigh, Conall, Mayer, Kenneth H, Safren, Steven A, Mimiaga, Matthew J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Alcoholism; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; India - epidemiology; Male; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control; Stress, Psychological; India; Indian subcontinent; men who have sex with men; mental health; Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); India
• DOI: 10.1177/09564624231155998

Studies show that stressful life events (SLE) (e.g., discrimination, financial problems) can lead to psychosocial problems and exacerbate condomless anal sex (CAS) without protection via pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men. However, few studies have examined this relationship among men who have sex with men in India, and none have examined this longitudinally. As a part of an HIV-prevention intervention, 608 MSM from Chennai and Mumbai, India, completed behavioral surveys at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 months. We used longitudinal generalized estimating equations (GEE) modeling to examine the relationship between SLE and its severity and subsequent psychosocial problems, CAS, and history of diagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI). All models are adjusted for age, sexual identity, intervention arm, human immunodeficiency virus status, and recruitment city. The number of SLE and their corresponding perceived impact score remained consistent at each time point. In multivariable GEE models, the number of SLE was predictive of CAS, depression, and harmful drinking. Similarly, the ratio of the impact of SLE was predictive of CAS, depression, and diagnosed STI. However, harmful drinking was not predictive in this model. These findings provide evidence that can inform future interventions, which can be used to enhance self-acceptance, coping skills, and other forms of resiliency.