Factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse and age among men who have sex with men who are gay bar customers in Osaka, Japan

• Published in: Sexual health Vol. 9; no. 4; p. 328
• Main Authors: Koerner, Jane, Shiono, Satoshi, Ichikawa, Seiichi, Kaneko, Noriyo, Tsuji, Hiroyuki, Machi, Toshio, Goto, Daisuke, Onitsuka, Tetsuro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia 01.09.2012
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anal Canal; Bisexuality; Chi-Square Distribution; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - transmission; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Japan - epidemiology; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - transmission; Japan
• ISSN: 1448-5028
• DOI: 10.1071/SH11081

HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) are increasing in Japan. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire among clients of a gay bar in Osaka was used to analyse the relationship between age and unprotected anal sex (UAI). The highest rate of UAI was reported among those aged ≥45 (73.3%), followed by the ≤24 (60.7%), 25-34 (56.3%) and 35-44 (54.0%) age groups (P=0.01). In multivariate analysis, UAI was related to sex with six or more sexual partners among those aged ≤24 (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 4.88; confidence interval (CI), 1.21-19.74), bisexual identity (AOR, 2.47; CI, 1.06-5.76) and drug use (AOR, 0.49; CI, 0.26-0.93 for no drug use) in the 25-34 age group, and no lifetime HIV testing in the 35-44 age group (AOR, 2.57; CI, 1.40-4.74). Condom purchasing and condom carrying were protective of UAI in 25-34, 35-44 and ≥45 age groups. Programs promoting condom use are needed for younger and older MSM.