Patterns of sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men in major cities of Myanmar: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Globally, transmissions of diseases are more likely to be infected among MSM due to their sexual risk behaviors like unprotected anal sex and multiple sexual partners.Very scarce or limited studies were noted regarding alcohol consumption and sexual risk behavior among MSM in Myanmar. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the patterns sexual risk behavior among MSM in two major cities of Myanmar.Purposive sampling was applied and sampling was made through Myanmar MSM network.Face-to-face interviews were conducted by using a structured questionnaire.Patterns of sexual risk behavior were described as frequency/percentage and mean/median as appropriate.Bivariate analysis (Chi-squared test) was also done to find out the association between condomless anal intercourse and multiple sexual partners.Results: A total of 256 MSM included in the study and their mean age was 27.33±7.7 years.The age group was categorized into 15-24 years as young MSM and ≥25 years as adult MSM.All MSM in the study have experienced sexual intercourse with men in their lifetime.Within one month, 47.3% of young MSM and 63.9% of adult MSM had multiple sexual partners.Over 70% to 80% of MSM had multiple sexual partners within six months and one year respectively.Never/inconsistent condom use was detected among 61.3% of young MSM and 56.1% of adult MSM who had sex with their permanent sexual partners within one month.On the other hand, 33.3% of young MSM and 23.5% of adult MSM did not use condom regularly during one month.Significantly higher proportion of Apwint (open type) of MSM had more than one sexual partner than other types of MSM (p<0.001).Over 69% of Apwint (open type) of MSM, 51.3% of Apone (hidden type) and 26.5% of Thange (partner of MSM) had more than one sexual partner.Similar pattern of association between type of MSM and number of partners was also seen for other time periods like within three months, six months and one year (p<0.001). Conclusion:Current study identified the alcohol consumption and sexual risk behavior among MSM in major cities of Myanmar.Intervention to reduce unsafe sexual practices like having multiple partners and condomless anal intercourse should be done since many MSM had practiced these unsafe sexual behaviors.