Earlier Sexual Debut and Exchange Sex among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT

Limited research has examined prevalence rates and associations related to exchange sex behaviors among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kazakhstan. This study aimed to examine associations between earlier sexual debuts and lifetime exchange sex behaviors among Kazakhstani MSM. Using data from a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention trial, we conducted a secondary analysis of self-reported data from 766 adult cisgender MSM in Kazakhstan, who completed structured screening interviews. Earlier sexual debuts were measured as age of sexual onset prior to 16 years old with ages 16 and older as the reference group. Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between earlier sexual debuts and lifetime reports of buying or selling sex for resources, with covariance adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics. The study findings indicated that, among our sample of MSM in Kazakhstan, 23% had sold sex, and 26% had bought sex in their lifetime. Kazakhstani MSM who reported an earlier sexual debut had significantly higher odds of ever selling or buying sex in their lifetime. Future research should examine how consensual and non-consensual sexual activities during childhood and adolescence relate to exchange sex behaviors and risk among MSM.

Acknowledgments

In addition to the co-authors, this work was only made possible by the research staff who showed tremendous dedication, skill, and sensitivity—Gassan Akhmedov, Karina Alipova, Farruh Aripov, Dilara Belkesheva, Daniyar Bekishev, Ferangiz Hazanova, Altynay Kambekova, Saltanat Kuskulova, Aitkul Nazarova, Syrim Omirbek, Olga Balabekova, Sultana Kali, Aidar Yelkeyev, Saida Yessenova, Valeria Davydova, and Aizhan Toleuova—and Svyatoslav Suslov, most importantly, the time and trust given by the participants. The findings and conclusions in this report do not necessarily represent the views of NIDA, the Columbia University School of Social Work, or the Global Health Research Center of Central Asia.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The data for this study were funded by the NIDA (https://www.drugabuse.gov/), grant # [R01DA040513].