HIV and ethnicity in Canada: is the HIV risk-taking behaviour of young foreign-born MSM similar to Canadian born MSM?

• Published in: AIDS care Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 9 - 16
• Main Authors: George, C., Alary, M., Hogg, R. S., Otis, J., Remis, R. S, Mâsse, B., Turmel, B., Leclerc, R., Lavoie, R., Vincelette, J., Parent, R., Chan, K., Martindale, S., Miller, M. L., Craib, K. J. P., Schechter, M. T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2007; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; AIDS; AIDS/HIV; Biological and medical sciences; Bisexuality; Canada; Canada - ethnology; Cohort Studies; Comparative studies; Ethnicity; Foreigners; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health; HIV; HIV Infections - ethnology; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Homosexuality; Homosexuality, Male - ethnology; Homosexuality, Male - psychology; Homosexuals; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immigrants; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Needle exchange; Personality. Affectivity; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Risk; Risk behaviour; Risk Factors; Sexual behavior; Sexual behaviour; Sexual health; Sexuality. Sexual behavior; Sexually transmitted diseases; Socioeconomic Factors; Transients and Migrants - psychology; Unsafe Sex - ethnology; Unsafe Sex - psychology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Canada; North America; America; Canada, Quebec, Montreal; Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver; Social environment; Homosexuality; Immigrant; Mental health; Male; Tattoo; Autochthonous; Public health; Human; Immunopathology; Sexual behavior; Retroviridae; AIDS; Bisexuality; Risk taking; Immune deficiency; Lentivirus; Unemployment; Ethnic group; Infection; Virus; Sociodemographic factor; Follow up study; Viral disease; Adolescent; Young adult; Human immunodeficiency virus
• ISSN: 0954-0121; 1360-0451
• DOI: 10.1080/09540120600909398

There is a dearth of information on the HIV risk-taking behaviour of foreign-born men who have sex with men (MSM) in Canada. This study focused on identifying sexual risk behaviour among MSM who immigrated to Canada and compared them to MSM who were born in Canada. Baseline data from the Omega Cohort in Montreal and the Vanguard Project in Vancouver were combined to form four ethnicity/race analytical categories (n = 1,148): White born in Canada (WBIC), White born outside of Canada, non-White born in Canada (NBIC) and non-White born outside of Canada (NBOC). Psychological, demographic and sexual behaviour characteristics of the groups were similar except: NBOC were more likely to be unemployed, less likely to be tattooed, had fewer bisexual experiences and less likely worried of insufficient funds. WBOC were more likely to report unprotected sex with seropositives and more likely to have had unprotected sex while travelling. NBIC were more likely to have ever sold sex and to have had body piercing. WBOC are at high risk of acquiring as well as transmitting HIV. It is important to consider place of birth in addition to ethnicity when developing programmes to prevent the transmission of HIV.