Lifestyle of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV

Abstract

HIV infection among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is increasing worldwide, including in Thailand. HIV-infected YMSM need to take care of themselves, balance their health, and avoid HIV transmission to others. Existing studies showed that YMSM living with HIV still engage in risky behaviors that lead to health problems. Few studies have been conducted to understand how the lifestyle of YMSM living with HIV impacts maintenance of good health. To promote positive health outcomes among YMSM living with HIV, it is therefore crucial to study the lifestyle among YMSM living with HIV. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to explore lifestyle among YMSM living with HIV. Thai YMSM living with HIV aged 15-24 years were enrolled. Data from participants who voluntarily participated in the study were collected via in-depth interviews. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Twenty Thai YMSM living with HIV participated in the study. Lifestyle findings were categorized into three themes: 1) attempting to have a ‘normal’ life, comprising learning to live normally, concealing HIV status, and having hope to live a long life; 2) striving to fulfill sexual lives, including releasing sexual desire, and using condom for prevention; and 3) restyling healthy behaviors consisting of reducing risk behaviors, seeking ways to cope with stress, and managing to take ARV drugs as daily life. Regarding facilitators and barriers related to lifestyle of YMSM living with HIV, the finding were categorized into two categories: 1) enabling support to live with HIV, consisting of receiving family support and gaining peer support, and 2) facing barriers, including fear of HIV/AIDS stigma and encountering side effects of antiretroviral drugs. The findings of this study help to understand the lifestyle of YMSM living with HIV, which can be used to develop programs/strategies to promote healthy lifestyles and well-being.