Citation

Lampinen TM, Chan K, Anema A, Miller ML, Schilder AJ, Schechter MT, Hogg RS, Strathdee SA. Am. J. Public Health 2008; 98(6): 1028-1035.

Affiliation

BC Center for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2007.122705

PMID

18445793

PMCID

PMC2377287

Abstract

Objectives. We sought to determine incidence of, prevalence of, and risk factors for sexual orientation-related physical assault in young men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods. We completed a prospective open cohort study of young MSM in Vancouver, British Columbia, surveyed annually between 1995 and 2004. Correlates of sexual orientation-related physical assault before enrollment were identified with logistic regression. Risk factors for incident assaults were determined with Cox regression. Results. At enrollment, 84 (16%) of 521 MSM reported ever experiencing assault related to actual or perceived sexual orientation. Incidence was 2.3 per 100 person-years; cumulative incidence at 6-year follow-up was 10.8 per 100 person-years. Increased risk of incident sexual orientation-related physical assault was observed among MSM 23 years or younger (relative hazard=3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.6, 5.8), Canadian Aboriginal people (relative hazard=3.0; 95% CI=1.4, 6.2), and those who previously experienced such assault (relative hazard=2.5; 95% CI= 1.3, 4.8). Conclusions. These data underscore the need for increased public awareness, surveillance, and supportto reduce assault against youngMSM. Such efforts should be coordinated atthe community levelto ensure that social norms dictate that such acts are unacceptable.

Language: en