An assessment of alcohol consumption, substance use and sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Yangon and Mandalay Myanmar

Alcohol consumption and substance use are associated with sexual risk behaviors. In Myanmar, lack of study was reported on alcohol consumption, substance use and sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) and current study was conducted to identify patterns of alcohol consumption, substance use and sexual risk behavior among MSM  in Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar. The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was also used. A total of 256 MSM included in the study and their mean age was 27.3±7.7 years. Age of MSM was categorized as 15-24 years as young MSM and ≥25 years as adult MSM. Over 39% of young MSM and 58.9% of adult MSM were “apwint” (open type). About 61% of MSM from both groups had consumed alcohol within one month and about 68% consumed alcohol within three months. At different time periods, higher proportions of Thange (partner of MSM) had experienced of binge drinking than apwint (open type) and apone (hidden type) and the association was statistically significant (p<0.05). Over 47% of young MSM and 30.8% of adult MSM used any kind of substance in their life time. Nearly 13-19% of young MSM and 5-8% of adult MSM used any kind of substance at other time periods. Among substance users, 91% of young and 87.5% of adult MSM had moderate risk from methamphetamine use. About 76% of young and 65.2% of adult MSM had low risk from alcohol consumption. Significantly higher proportion of open type MSM had more than one sexual partner than other types (p<0.001). At different time periods, 33.3% to 39.1% of young MSM and 17.9% to 24.6% of adult MSM never/inconsistently used condom with non-permanent partners. It is suggested to develop and implement alcohol control policy for MSM since many of them had binge drinking. Intervention to reduce unsafe sexual practices should be done.