Sexual Practices and HIV Prevalence amongst Men Who Have Sex with Men at a Community-Based Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre in Malaysia

Abstract

We describe the sexual practices and condom usage of men who have sex with men (MSM) at a community-based anonymous voluntary counseling and testing centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This study is a first for Malaysia in this context. 433 MSM clients disclosed their sexual practices and condom use in the preceding 6 months using a self-reported questionnaire during pre-HIV test counseling at the centre. The mean age was 29.7 years, and 356 were homosexuals while 77 were bisexuals. Forty tested HIV positive (9.2%). 387 (94.9%) of 408 clients had anal sex, 395 (97.8%) of 404 clients had oral sex, while 43 (18.4%) of 233 clients had vaginal sex which revealed that even men who identified themselves as homosexuals do practice vaginal sex. Having multiple sexual partners is common (mean 11.6 partners per client). 259 (59.8%) had unprotected sex within the last 6 months. Consistent condom use rates during vaginal, anal, and oral sex were 20%, 23.5%, and 1.3%, respectively. The odds ratio of testing HIV positive with inconsistent condom use during anal sex was 3.7 (). Clients who used condoms inconsistently during anal sex are more likely to be HIV positive.