Prevalence of Internalized Homophobia and HIV Associated Risks among Men who have Sex with Men in Nigeria
), George I. Eluwa(2), Dan Allman(3), Ted Myers(4), Babatunde A. Ahonsi(5),
(1) Nairawebs Design
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Corresponding Author
Abstract
This study assessed the level of internalized homophobia and associated factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria. Using respondent driven sampling, MSM were recruited in Lagos and Ibadan between July and September, 2006. Internalized homophobia was assessed as a negative composite score using an 11-item scale. A total of 1,125 MSM were interviewed. About 44.4% self-identified as homosexual or gay while 55% regarded themselves as bisexual. About a third of the respondents reported internalized homophobia. With homosexual/gay men as reference, respondents who self-identified as bisexual were two times more likely [AOR 2.1; 95 CI: 1.6 – 2.9, p<0.001] to report internalized homophobia. Those who were HIV positive were also twice as likely to report internalized homophobia compared to those who were HIV negative [AOR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2 – 2.7, p=0.004]. As internalized homophobia impedes acceptance of HIV prevention programming, identifying
MSM who experience internalized homophobia is integral to the success of HIV prevention programming in Nigeria (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[4]: 21-28).
Résumé
Cette étude a évalué le niveau de l'homophobie intériorisée et les facteurs qui y sont liés chez les hommes qui ont des rapports sexuels avec des hommes (HSH) au Nigeria. A l’aide d'un échantillonnage basé sur les interviews, les HSH ont été recrutés à Lagos et à Ibadan entre les mois de juillet et septembre, 2006. L'homophobie intériorisée a été évaluée par un indice négatif composite en utilisant une échelle de 11 items. Au total, 1.125 HSH ont été interviewés. À peu près 44,4% se sont identifiés comme des homosexuels tandis que 55% se considéraient comme des bisexuels. Environ un tiers des interviewés ont signalé l'homophobie intériorisée. En se servant des hommes homosexuels comme référence, les interviewés qui se sont identifiés comme bisexuels avaient deux fois plus la possibilité [AOR 2,1; IC 95: 1,6 - 2,9, p <0,001] de signaler l'homophobie intériorisée. Ceux qui étaient séropositifs avaient également deux fois plus la possibilité de signaler l'homophobie intériorisée par rapport à ceux qui étaient séronégatifs [AOR: 1,8; IC à 95%: 1,2 - 2,7, p = 0,004]. Etant donné que l'homophobie intériorisée empêche l'acceptation de la prévention de la programmation du VIH, l'identification des HSH qui éprouvent l'homophobie intériorisée fait partie intégrante de la réussite de la prévention de la programmation du VIH au Nigéria (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[4]: 2128).
Keywords: Men who have sex with men, Internalized homophobia, Nigeria, Bisexuality, Gay
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