Social and Psychological Factors Influencing HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors among Young Adult Filipino Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Metro Manila

ABSTRACT The Philippine HIV crisis disproportionately affects young Filipino men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM accounted for about 80% of all new infections. Hence, this study explored the sociodemographic characteristics, sexual orientation, living arrangements, and mental health conditions that may influence HIV sexual risk behaviors among them. A survey questionnaire was administered to 119 young adult Filipino MSM. It found that the average annual number of sexual partners and instances of unprotected anal intercourse among the respondents were 13 and 6, respectively. Living with one’s partner and depression correlated with a higher number of sexual partners and unprotected anal intercourse (p<.05). Contrastingly, these sexual behaviors did not correlate with age, education, employment, income, sexual orientation, anxiety, and alcohol use. These may be due to the negative effect of depression on one’s judgment as well as the limited sex education, condom use stigma, gender-based discrimination, and communication difficulty in MSM romantic relationships in the Philippines. Thus, sex education, safe sex practices, PrEP availability, gender equality, and mental health and sexual behavior screening must be strengthened to address the HIV disparity among young Filipino MSM.