Metrics of sexual behavior stigma among cisgender men who have sex with men in Mexico: exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses
Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Mexico experience disparities in sexual health outcomes, perhaps most notably in HIV prevalence, HIV testing and status awareness, and condom use. Sexual behavior stigma, underpinned by socio-structural factors specific to Mexico (e.g., machismo), uniquely shapes these sexual health disparities. However, few reliable, valid measures are available to document, track, and ultimately mitigate sexual behavior stigma in this context. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed on responses to a 13-item sexual behavior stigma scale from 15,681 MSM recruited online across Mexico. Associations with extracted factors were tested to assess construct validity. Three subscales were identified in exploratory factor analysis and validated in confirmatory factor analysis: "stigma from family and friends" (α = 0.65), "anticipated healthcare stigma" (α = 0.84), and "general social stigma" (α = 0.70). External construct validity was indicated through each subscale's strong association (all p < 0.001) with perceived community intolerance of MSM and perceived community discrimination toward people living with HIV. These subscales show promise as reliable, valid measures for assessing sexual behavior stigma among MSM in Mexico, and as tools for documenting and tracking sexual behavior stigma trends, comparing regional burdens of sexual behavior stigma, and tracking the progress of stigma-mitigation interventions among MSM in Mexico. Future research is needed to understand the extent to which each subscale is differentially associated with sexual (and other) health outcomes, which can inform the development and implementation of uniquely tailored stigma-mitigation, HIV-prevention, HIV-care, and other needed interventions for MSM in Mexico.
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,490
Funders: National Institutes of Health, Center for AIDS Research, University of Washington, National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Center for AIDS Research, University of California, San Diego
Awards: HIV Treatment and Substance Use in LMIC Shaping MSMs Sociostructural Context, G2747495565, NEXUS: A novel social network approach to study the effects of intersectional stigma on HIV prevention among Latino MSM, G342295615, G8259150102, UC San Diego Clinical and Translational Research Institute, G9000124410, Training Program in Substance Use, HIV and Related Infections, San Diego Center for AIDS Research (SD CFAR)
OpenAlex ID: W4291222003