The influence of stigma on HIV risk behavior among men who have sex with men in Chennai, India

Stigma has been shown to increase vulnerability to HIV acquisition in many settings around the world. However, limited research has been conducted examining its role among men who have sex with men (MSM) in India, whose HIV prevalence is far greater than the general population. In 2009, 210 MSM in Chennai completed an interviewer-administered assessment, including questions about stigma, sexual risk, demographics, and psychosocial variables. More than one fifth of the MSM reported unprotected anal sex (UAS) in the past three months. Logistic regression procedures were used to examine correlates of having experienced stigma. The 11-item stigma scale had high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.99). Almost 2/5 (39%) reported a high-level of experienced stigma (>= 12 mean scale-score) in their lifetime, and the mean stigma scale score was 12 (SD = 2.0). Significant correlates of having experienced prior stigma, after adjusting for age and educational attainment, included the following: identifying as a kothi (feminine acting/appearing and predominantly receptive in anal sex) compared to a panthi (masculine appearing, predominantly insertive) (AOR = 63.23; 95% CI: 15.92-251.14; p < 0.0001); being out about one's MSM behavior (AOR = 5.63; 95% CI: 1.46-21.73; p = 0.01); having clinically significant depressive symptoms (AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.40-5.12; p = 0.003); and engaging in sex work in the prior three months (AOR = 4.89; 95% CI: 2.51-9.51; p < 0.0001). These findings underscore the need to address psychosocial issues of Indian MSM. Unless issues such as stigma are addressed, effective HIV prevention interventions for this hidden population remain a challenge.