Objective: We estimated the prevalence of lifetime nonvolitional sex (NVS) among MSM by demographic characteristics, and characterized its association with HIV-related sexual risk behaviours among MSM in the United States.
Design: The National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) is a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of the United States.
Methods: NSFG data from recent cycles 2002, and 2006-2010 were weighted and analysed for men aged 18-44 years who reported ever having anal or oral intercourse with another male. Associations of lifetime NVS (forced sex by men or women) and age of first NVS experience (<18 vs. ≥18 years), with HIV-related sexual risk behaviour outcomes in the past 12 months (i.e. sex with two or more male sex partners; exchanged sex for money or drugs; sex with IDU; sex with HIV-positive person; sex with two or more female sex partners) were assessed using adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR).
Results: An estimated 3 226 872 or 5.8% of men aged 18-44 years were identified as MSM with 24.6% of them reporting ever experiencing NVS. MSM reporting NVS at age 18 years or older were more likely to have had sex with an IDU [aPR = 4.40; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.78-10.88] and exchanged sex for money or drugs (aPR = 2.52; 95% CI 1.17-5.43) in the past 12 months compared with those not reporting NVS. NVS for MSM less than 18 years of age was associated with exchanging sex for money or drugs.
Conclusion: Effective interventions to raise awareness of NVS among MSM and to offer support for MSM who have experienced NVS are needed.