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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Body image and sexually transmissible infection prevalence among men who have sex with men

Cara E. Rice A E , Alison H. Norris A B , John A. Davis B , Courtney D. Lynch C , Karen S. Fields D , Melissa Ervin D and Abigail Norris Turner A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, 1841 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

B Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, 410 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

C Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, 370 W. 9th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

D Sexual Health Clinic, Columbus Public Health, 240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215, USA.

E Corresponding author. Email: rice.477@osu.edu

Sexual Health 12(5) 467-468 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH15086
Submitted: 2 October 2014  Accepted: 4 May 2015   Published: 20 July 2015

Abstract

Compared with men who have sex with women, some evidence suggests that men who have sex with men (MSM) have increased prevalence of body image dissatisfaction. MSM also have a higher prevalence of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) than other population groups. As part of a cross-sectional study, body image among 104 MSM using the standardised, validated Male Body Attitudes Scale was assessed. Associations between body image and prevalent STI were examined. Body image was not associated with prevalent STI in unadjusted [prevalence ratio (PR): 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86–1.52] or adjusted analyses (PR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.89–1.53).


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