Engagement of MSM in health-seeking behaviors related to HIV impact the epidemic by affecting the prevention of future HIV infection transmission, decreasing HIV prevalence. Health-seeking behaviors can be conceptualized in two approaches. The first approach refers to the utilization of existing healthcare systems by individuals of a population. The second approach refers to the examination of the factors that impact people in making “healthy” choices in regards to lifestyle behaviors or the utilization of medical care (Choudhury, Arjumand & Piwoo, 1997). The observed patterns in health-seeking behaviors related to HIV/AIDS among MSM examined in the studies include the engagement in risky sexual behavior, voluntary HIV testing, condom use and
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Guadamuz, Cheung, Wei, Koe, & Lim (2015) used the data from a 2010 online survey of MSM in Southeast Asia regarding HIV testing. At 19.3%, the fear of being HIV positive was the most reported reason for not testing among the 1290 participating MSM who never tested for HIV. Out of the total 255 respondents from the Philippines, 142 (55.8%) MSM reported never being tested for HIV. Other significant reasons for never testing include low risk perception to HIV infection, HIV stigma and discrimination, financial concerns, and not knowing where to get tested (Guadamuz, Cheung, Wei, Koe & Lim, …show more content…
According to HAIN, in 2010, only 32% of MSM used condoms, according to 2011 Universal Access report from the Philippines to the United Nations (as cited in Acaba, 2014). In Acaba (2014), 56% of the survey’s respondents reported using condoms during anal sex for protection against STDs, including HIV. Low condom use among MSM could possibly be attributed to sexual roles and associated stereotypes. The selected interviewees in the study stated that partners in submissive roles (Bottoms and Versatiles) are expected to carry condoms while partners in dominant roles (Tops) are not. This belief could be attributed to the expectation that the submissive partner has the responsibility of providing protection because he is the one being penetrated. Other reasons for not using condoms include lack of sensation, trust in partner’s status, and symbolic intimacy in ejaculating in the mouth and/or the anus of the partner (“seeding” or pagpupunla) (Acaba,
Guadamuz, Cheung, Wei, Koe, & Lim (2015) used the data from a 2010 online survey of MSM in Southeast Asia regarding HIV testing. At 19.3%, the fear of being HIV positive was the most reported reason for not testing among the 1290 participating MSM who never tested for HIV. Out of the total 255 respondents from the Philippines, 142 (55.8%) MSM reported never being tested for HIV. Other significant reasons for never testing include low risk perception to HIV infection, HIV stigma and discrimination, financial concerns, and not knowing where to get tested (Guadamuz, Cheung, Wei, Koe & Lim, …show more content…
According to HAIN, in 2010, only 32% of MSM used condoms, according to 2011 Universal Access report from the Philippines to the United Nations (as cited in Acaba, 2014). In Acaba (2014), 56% of the survey’s respondents reported using condoms during anal sex for protection against STDs, including HIV. Low condom use among MSM could possibly be attributed to sexual roles and associated stereotypes. The selected interviewees in the study stated that partners in submissive roles (Bottoms and Versatiles) are expected to carry condoms while partners in dominant roles (Tops) are not. This belief could be attributed to the expectation that the submissive partner has the responsibility of providing protection because he is the one being penetrated. Other reasons for not using condoms include lack of sensation, trust in partner’s status, and symbolic intimacy in ejaculating in the mouth and/or the anus of the partner (“seeding” or pagpupunla) (Acaba,