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Rates of bisexual concurrency, and bisexual practices among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Abuja, Nigeria
A. Onigbanjo1, B. Eziefule1, G. Emmanuel1, S. Iwuagwu1, S. Baral2, C. Beyrer2, O. Anene3
1Center for the Right to Health, Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria, 2John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States, 3Alliance Rights Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
Background: Recent data have suggested that MSM are at high risk of HIV in the African context, including Nigeria. However, there is little HIV prevention programming targeting MSM in Nigeria. This study evaluated rates of active bisexual concurrency with both men and women?and active bisexuality?both male and female sexual partners in last 6 months.
Methods: A convenience sample of 300 reproductive age men reporting ever having had anal intercourse with another man were administered a structured survey instrument by a trained worker. Ethical approval was obtained. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated using SPSS software.
Results: A total of 300 respondents participated in the study with a mean age of 26.1 years (SD ± 4.03). Approximately 63% of men reported having bisexual concurrent relationships with both male and female sexual partners. At the time of survey, 45.8% of men reported concurrent male and female regular partners. In bivariate analysis, marital status (X2=6.718; P< 0.05) and age (X2=3.435, P< 0.1) are associated with bisexual concurrency. MSM practising bisexual concurrency reported higher rates of condom use (95% CI= 1.00 -142.9, P< 0.1). HIV testing (X2= 10.69, P< 0.05) was significant and showed they are one times less likely to know their status (95% CI = 0.167 - 10.38, P>0.05). Finally, logistic regression showed that MSM who were never married were 5 times more likely to be bisexually active (95% CI = 1.01 - 20.4, P< 0.05).
Conclusions: Bisexual concurrency and bisexual practices are common among MSM in Abuja. These men report higher rates of condom use and HIV testing than other MSM in the study, but were less likely to know their HIV status. Thus, these men are at significant risk of HIV. These data highlight the need to better characterize drivers of bisexual concurrency among MSM in Nigeria and potential interventions.
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