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Roldán P, Matijczak A, Goffnett J. Negative Associations between Minority Stressors and Self-Reported Health Status among Sexual Minority Adults Living in Colombia. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:429. [PMID: 38391805 PMCID: PMC10887566 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12040429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Colombia has extensive laws prohibiting discrimination against sexual minority people. However, violence and discrimination toward sexual minorities are still frequent. While a growing body of research shows that sexual minority people experience elevated rates of discrimination and domestic abuse globally, little research has been conducted on these issues affecting sexual minorities in Colombia specifically. Using minority stress theory as a conceptual framework, this paper aims to fill this gap by examining the prevalence of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and witnessed discrimination and the relationship of these stressors to self-reported health among a national sample of sexual minority Colombians. We found that bisexual individuals experienced higher rates of physical and sexual IPV, compared to lesbian and gay individuals. Additionally, sexual minority Colombians who experienced IPV and witnessed discrimination were more likely to report having poorer health, compared to those who had not. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research and clinicians working with sexual minority clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Roldán
- School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23220, USA
| | - Angela Matijczak
- School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23220, USA
| | - Jacob Goffnett
- School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23220, USA
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Graham SM, Harper GW. Gradual improvements in HIV outcomes for African GBMSM. Lancet HIV 2023; 10:e490-e492. [PMID: 37453438 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00149-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
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Lewis KA, Jadwin-Cakmak L, Walimbwa J, Ogunbajo A, Jauregui JC, Onyango DP, Moore DM, Johnson GL, Odero W, Harper GW. "You'll Be Chased Away": Sources, Experiences, and Effects of Violence and Stigma among Gay and Bisexual Men in Kenya. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2825. [PMID: 36833522 PMCID: PMC9956866 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Gay and bisexual men in Kenya face extreme socio-political stigma which manifests in widespread violence and discrimination across socio-ecological levels. We conducted individual in-depth interviews with 60 gay and bisexual men in western and central Kenya. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed using an inductive, phenomenological approach to qualitatively examine experiences of stigma and violence at the interpersonal and institutional levels. A total of seven primary themes and four sub-themes emerged from the data. At the interpersonal level, participants described stigma and violence from family, friends, and romantic/sexual partners with sub-themes for gay-baiting violence, blackmail, intimate partner violence, and commitment phobia. At the institutional level, participants described stigma and violence from religious, employment, educational, and healthcare institutions. This stigma and violence severely impacted the lives of participants including their mental health, physical health, sexual health, socioeconomic status, and ability to access health-promoting services. These data identify sources of stigma and describe how this stigma manifests in the everyday lives of gay and bisexual men in Kenya. Study findings and quotes from participants highlight the severity of violence, stigma, and discrimination faced by this community and emphasize the need for decriminalization of same-sex sexualities as well as interventions to support health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Lewis
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Laura Jadwin-Cakmak
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | | | | | - Juan C. Jauregui
- Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Daniel Peter Onyango
- Let Good Be Told In Us, Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Western Kenya (NYARWEK) LGBTI Coalition, Kisumu 40100, Kenya
| | - Darius M. Moore
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | - Gabriel Lee Johnson
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
| | - Wilson Odero
- School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Maseno University, Kisumu 40100, Kenya
| | - Gary W. Harper
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
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Operario D, Sun S, Bermudez AN, Masa R, Shangani S, van der Elst E, Sanders E. Integrating HIV and mental health interventions to address a global syndemic among men who have sex with men. Lancet HIV 2022; 9:e574-e584. [PMID: 35750058 PMCID: PMC7613577 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(22)00076-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In this Series paper, we review evidence on the co-occurring and synergistic epidemics (syndemic) of HIV and mental health problems worldwide among men who have sex with men (MSM). The multilevel determinants of this global syndemic include structural factors that enable stigma, systematic bias, and violence towards MSM across geographical and cultural contexts. Cumulative exposure to these factors over time results in population-level inequities in the burden of HIV infections and mental health problems among MSM. Evidence for this syndemic among MSM is strongest in the USA, Canada, western Europe, and parts of Asia and Latin America, with emerging evidence from sub-Saharan Africa. Integrated interventions are needed to address syndemics of HIV and mental health problems that challenge the wellbeing of MSM populations worldwide, and such interventions should consider various mental health conditions (eg, depression, anxiety, trauma, and suicidality) and their unique expressions and relationships with HIV outcomes depending on cultural contexts. In addition, interventions should identify and intervene with locally relevant structural factors that result in HIV and mental health vulnerabilities among MSM.
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