OBJECTIVETo understand the self-discrimination experience of MSM and its relationship with sexual behavior and psychological factors.

METHODSBy respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method, a call-for action and anonymous self-administration questionnaire investigation was carried out in Mianyang city on experience of self-discriminations, sexual partners and behaviors and depression symptom, etc. The first 12 qualified people were designated as the "root" in the whole investigation from different MSM subgroups. Every "root" would get 3 recruit cards after their own investigation, then cards could be promoted to another 3 qualified people who were willing to accept questionnaires. And this process would go on till the sample size was accomplished. χ(2) test, rank correlation and contingency coefficient would be applied for the statistical analysis.

RESULTSIn total, 201 persons were investigated. Within the past 6 months, 59.2% (119/201) persons felt they did harm to their family or made the family down as gays, 79.6% (160/201) had to disguise their real sexual orientation in avoidance of being discriminated, 39.3% (79/201) were humiliated for having gay sex. It showed correlation between humiliation or harm to family and frequency to disco balls/night clubs (r = 0.196, χ(2) = 7.95, P < 0.05), concerts or theaters (r = 0.201, χ(2) = 8.423, P < 0.05) with MSM friends, HIV health consultancy (r = 0.231, χ(2) = 11.329, P < 0.05), experiences of one night stands (r(s) = 0.183, µ = 2.588, P < 0.05), detection of depression (r(s) = 0.241, µ = 15.717, P < 0.05) and stress-related perception (r(s) = -0.310, µ = 23.112, P < 0.05), the corresponding behavior report rates of who experienced 3-4 times were 66.7% (11/33), 52.9% (18/34), 41.2% (14/34), 17.6% (6/34), 44.1% (15/34), 44.7% (10/24). Statistical significance was found between the relations of humiliation for gay sex and frequency into concerts or theaters (r = 0.195, χ(2) = 7.933, P < 0.05) with MSM friends, experiences of one night stands (r(s) = 0.145, µ = 2.051, P < 0.05), man-man anal sex (r = 0.165, χ(2) = 10.823, P < 0.05), numbers of female sexual partners (r = 0.265, χ(2) = 11.422, P < 0.05), protectiveness of female sexual behavior in the past 6 months (r = 0.513, χ(2) = 7.442, P < 0.05), detection of depression (r(s) = 0.152, µ = 13.034, P < 0.05) and stress-related perception (r(s) = -0.259, µ = 21.190, P < 0.05), the corresponding behavior report rates of who experienced 3-4 times were 22.7% (5/22), 9.1% (2/22), 13.6% (3/22), 91.6% (2/22), 66.7% (2/3), 57.1% (4/7), 33.3% (19/57). It has statistical significance between the relations of disguising their real sexual orientation in avoidance of being discriminated and the frequency of show up in the cybercafé (r = 0.272, χ(2) = 15.932, P < 0.05), involvement of HIV test (r = 0.232, χ(2) = 11.446, P < 0.05), and stress-related perception (r(s) = -0.373, µ = 28.868, P < 0.05). It was found that increasing of discrimination was connected to entrance into gay-welcome places, acceptance of HIV consultancy and tests, posting gay information among MSM friends and hold of many sexual partners. Meanwhile, the pressure was rising when depression was checked out.

CONCLUSIONSelf-discrimination was prevalent among MSM, which had brought critical influence on the individual behavior, MSM psychological health and prevalence of AIDS.