Male homosexuality is a complex phenomenon which is universal and with unknown causes. Researchers believe that both biological and environmental factors have played a role in its pathogenesis. Researches focusing on genetics, neurobiology, development and endocrinology have made certain progress. In this paper, we have reviewed the biological causes of male homosexuality, which may provide clues for further research in this field.
Developmental Biology ; Endocrinology ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Neurobiology

Homosexuality, Male ; psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Risk-Taking ; Sexual Behavior ; psychology

China ; HIV Infections ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Risk Factors

China ; Demography ; HIV Infections ; HIV-1 ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male

Bisexuality ; psychology ; Female ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Health Promotion ; Homosexuality, Female ; psychology ; Homosexuality, Male ; psychology ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Reduction Behavior ; Singapore ; Transgender Persons ; psychology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sexual transmission behaviors among HIV-positive MSM population engaging in unprotected sexual behaviors, as well as the relationship with health conditions and partner notification.

METHODSA total of 308 HIV-positive MSM participants engaged in unprotected sexual behaviors were recruited by "snowballing" sampling in Shanghai and Chengdu. The questionnaire covered such items as the time of HIV infection diagnosis, CD4⁺ T cells count, viral load, antiviral therapy, anxiety and depressive symptoms, sexual partner types and sexual behaviors in the past six months, disclosure to fixed sexual partners and casual sexual partners among others.

RESULTSOf the 308 participants surveyed, the report rate of those having at least one-time sexual transmission behaviors during the past 6 months was 70.1% (216/308). Participants who had primary sexual partners and casual sexual partners following their HIV infection diagnosis accounted for 89.0% (274/308) and 68.2% (210/308) respectively. Of the aforementioned participants, 59.1% (162/274) and 94.3% (198/210) respectively had not disclosed their HIV infection to primary and casual sexual partners. Of thoes who did not disclose their HIV infection to primary sexual partners, 91.9% (147/162) reported sexual transmission behaviors. Of thoes who did not disclose their HIV infection to casual sexual partners, 89.9% (178/198) continue sexual transmission. As found in a multi-factor analysis, the infection risk exposure of those with heterosexual sexual orientation and engagement in sexual transmission behaviors was six times higher than those with homosexual orientation (aOR = 5.896, 95% CI: 1.808-19.232). For those who did not, or partially disclose their HIV infection to male casual sexual partners or commercial sexual partners, the risk exposure of further transmission was 29 times and 19 times higher than those disclose it to their sexual partners (no disclosure: aOR = 28.957, 95% CI: 7.511-65.004; partial disclosure: aOR = 18.956, 95% CI: 6.995-57.417). The highest risk came from those who continue their sexual transmission behavior within six months of their HIV infection diagnosis; the lowest risk came from those continue such behavior more than one year and within two years of their diagnosis (aOR = 0.048, 95% CI: 0.033-0.788); such risk rose to some extent for those continue such behavior over two years of their diagnosis. Compared to those without antiviral therapy, participants with the therapy pose less risk in sexual transmission behaviors.

CONCLUSIONMore than two-thirds of HIV-positive MSM population who engage in unprotected sexual behaviors reported sexual transmission behaviors. In this regard, increasing antiviral therapy and promoting sexual partner disclosure constituted an effective strategy to minimize further transmission among HIV-positive MSM population. Intervention of sexual transmission behaviors should be addressed to those diagnosed of HIV infection within six months.

China ; HIV Infections ; transmission ; HIV Seropositivity ; Homosexuality ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Risk ; Risk-Taking ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Viral Load

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Homosexuality, Male ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo explore the relevant factors of the causes of sexual orientations of gay.

METHODFrom March to June 2013, 350 gays were recruited from one music bar and three bath centers where gays frequently visited in Changsha city, by proportional stratified sampling method. Meanwhile, another 332 males who identify themselves as non-homosexuality were also recruited considering the composition of ages, gender and educational background. Questionnaire survey was conducted to all the subjects, with 300 effective ones reclaimed. The questionnaire included the general demographic information, traits of character, the condition of foster in childhood and information of family members. The differences between the gays and non-homosexuality groups were analyzed to explore the causes of the sexual orientations of gays.

RESULTSThere were statistical significant differences between gays and non- homosexuality group on following indexes (χ(2) was 59.63, 5.90, 16.01, 84.99, 161.57, 77.77, 112.32, 190.84, 30.10 respectively, all of P < 0.05) :had a tender father and an impervious mother, were physically weak, not agile, physically inactive, attentive to details, highly conservative, not adventurous, and radical in childhood, were raised as girls before the age of 18, liked to dress as girls before the age of 18, don't liked to play toy knives and toy guns before the age of 18, suffered from sexual abuse before the age of 18 (e.g. forced to expose private parts or forced to have sex) by adults, had read or watched books or films about homosexual and experienced sexual pleasure from that before the age of 18. The rate of gays on these indexes was separately 62.3% (187/300), 57.7% (173/300) , 62.3% (187/300) , 63.0% (189/300), 67.3% (202/300) , 62.7% (189/300), 68.0% (204/300), 65.0% (195/300) and the rate on these indexes of non-homosexuality group was separately 21.3% (64/300), 28.0% (84/300) , 25.0% (75/300) , 12.7% (38/300), 31.3% (94/300), 17.7% (53/300) , 12.7% (38/300), 42.7% (128/300) . The rate of gays on these factors:the youngest boy in family, had the father or twin brothers who were homosexual or self identified as gay was 62.7% (188/300), 56.0% (168/300) and 62.0% (18/29) respectively; and the rate was 40.7% (122/300), 4.0% (12/300) and 20.0% (2/10), respectively among non-homosexuality group. The difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) was 34.52, 193.14, 5.27 respectively, all of P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe correlative factor of sexual orientation of gays maybe was family relationship, tend and education since childhood, psychological characteristics, sexual experience during puberty.

Adult ; Homosexuality, Male ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Sexual Behavior ; statistics & numerical data ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: To explore the Impact of community subculture of men who have sex with men (MSM) on the occurrence of high-risk sexual behavior based on the health belief model. METHODS: A qualitative research method was used to conduct in-depth interviews with 17 MSM by one-to-one and half-structured way, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: There were several factors for high-risk sexual behavior in MSM subculture, such as trust, subjective assessment for partner or personal health status, the role in inserting, awareness of HIV infection among partners, perception of HIV and homosexual discrimination, difficulty in maintaining a fixed partner, family responsibility,and so on. Self-efficacy also affected MSM's high-risk sexual behavior. CONCLUSIONS High-risk sexual behavior in MSM population is influenced by individual, group, and intra-circle subculture. Cognitive bias for HIV infection in MSMs can be intervened by constructing a preventive intervention model for high-risk sexual behavior.
HIV Infections ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Risk-Taking ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Sexual and Gender Minorities

OBJECTIVETo study the practical survey method on estimating the size of male homosexual population.

METHODSNine male homosexual gathering spots were selected and three methods as division method, capture-mark-recapture method and multiplier method were applied in counting the numbers of homosexual men in one city in Sichuan province.

RESULTSNumber of counting through division method was 877 and the three numbers through capture-mark-recapture method were 1408, 1207 and 949 respectively. However, appropriate data was not obtained by multiplier method.

CONCLUSIONSDivision method was easy to operate with its high credibility, but costly. Capture-mark-recapture method was less costly less both in capital and time, and the results could be testified to each other. Multiplier method should be modified before applied to obtain reliable information.

China ; Homosexuality, Male ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Statistics as Topic ; methods