TY - JOUR
T1 - Suicidal ideation among MSM in three West African countries
T2 - Associations with stigma and social capital
AU - Stahlman, Shauna
AU - Grosso, Ashley
AU - Ketende, Sosthenes
AU - Pitche, Vincent
AU - Kouanda, Seni
AU - Ceesay, Nuha
AU - Ouedraogo, Henri G.
AU - Ky-Zerbo, Odette
AU - Lougue, Marcel
AU - Diouf, Daouda
AU - Anato, Simplice
AU - Tchalla, Jules
AU - Baral, Stefan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2016.
PY - 2016/9/1
Y1 - 2016/9/1
N2 - Background: Suicidal ideation is understudied among men who have sex with men (MSM) across Sub-Saharan Africa. Aims: This study aimed to explore social capital and sexual behavior stigma associated with suicidal ideation among MSM in the West African nations of The Gambia, Burkina Faso and Togo. Methods: Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and snowball sampling across multiple cities (n = 1555) from July 2011 to August 2013. During a single study visit, participants completed a survey. Logistic regression models were used to assess bivariate and multivariable associations with suicidal ideation. Results: The prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation was 13% overall and ranged 6%-17% across study sites. After adjusting for potential confounders, MSM who reported stigma as a result of having sex with men were more likely to report suicidal ideation. Physical and sexual violence was strongly associated with suicidal ideation, including being physically harmed (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.91, 4.52), tortured (aOR = 3.86, 95% CI = 2.17, 6.86) and raped (aOR = 3.07, 95% CI = 2.05, 4.60). In contrast, increasing social participation with the broader community was associated with decreased report of suicidal ideation (aOR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85, 0.99). Conclusion: Sexual behavior stigma should be addressed to improve mental health among MSM in Western Sub-Saharan Africa.
AB - Background: Suicidal ideation is understudied among men who have sex with men (MSM) across Sub-Saharan Africa. Aims: This study aimed to explore social capital and sexual behavior stigma associated with suicidal ideation among MSM in the West African nations of The Gambia, Burkina Faso and Togo. Methods: Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and snowball sampling across multiple cities (n = 1555) from July 2011 to August 2013. During a single study visit, participants completed a survey. Logistic regression models were used to assess bivariate and multivariable associations with suicidal ideation. Results: The prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation was 13% overall and ranged 6%-17% across study sites. After adjusting for potential confounders, MSM who reported stigma as a result of having sex with men were more likely to report suicidal ideation. Physical and sexual violence was strongly associated with suicidal ideation, including being physically harmed (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.91, 4.52), tortured (aOR = 3.86, 95% CI = 2.17, 6.86) and raped (aOR = 3.07, 95% CI = 2.05, 4.60). In contrast, increasing social participation with the broader community was associated with decreased report of suicidal ideation (aOR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85, 0.99). Conclusion: Sexual behavior stigma should be addressed to improve mental health among MSM in Western Sub-Saharan Africa.
KW - Stigma
KW - West Africa
KW - men who have sex with men
KW - social capital
KW - suicidal ideation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84985896540&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0020764016663969
DO - 10.1177/0020764016663969
M3 - Article
C2 - 27515832
AN - SCOPUS:84985896540
SN - 0020-7640
VL - 62
SP - 522
EP - 531
JO - International Journal of Social Psychiatry
JF - International Journal of Social Psychiatry
IS - 6
ER -