Anal Sexual Roles and Impacts on HIV Infection and Psychological Distress Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: A 14-Year Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that men who have sex with men (MSM) with different anal sexual roles, namely bottom, versatile, and top, are at different risk of HIV infection and psychological distress. However, the evidence was primarily derived from cross-sectional designs from Western countries, and it remains unclear how anal sexual roles change over a long time and their health impacts among MSM from Eastern countries. We aimed to describe the changes in anal sexual roles among a Chinese sample of MSM over 14 years and explore their effects on HIV infection, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Between 2009 and 2023, a longitudinal study was conducted on 373 MSM in Changsha, China, to assess their anal sexual roles, HIV infection, and psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Generalized linear models with a binomial probability was used to analyze the predictive effect of anal sexual roles on HIV infection and psychological distress. At baseline, 30.3% of MSM self-identified as bottom, 32.2% as versatile, and 37.5% as top, and these numbers changed slightly to 35.9%, 33.0%, and 31.1%, respectively, at follow-up (p = 0.131). From baseline to follow-up, 48 (12.9%) new HIV cases were identified. The prevalence of depression increased from 23.1 to 38.1% (p < 0.001), anxiety increased from 25.5% to 35.4% (p = 0.003), and suicidal ideation increased from 30.8 to 38.9% (p = 0.021). MSM with bottom and versatile roles were more likely to have HIV infection, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than those with top roles. MSM’s risk of HIV infection and psychological distress varies according to their anal sexual roles, suggesting that future HIV prevention and mental health improvement programs for MSM may benefit from providing targeted and individualized support based on their anal sexual roles, with a particular focus on those with bottom and versatile roles.