Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives

Byonghee Cho

3 Articles

How do Sexual Identity, and Coming Out Affect Stress, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in South Korea?: Byonghee Cho, Aeree Sohn; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2016;7(5):281-288. Published online October 31, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrp.2016.09.001

4,840 View
39 Download
18 Crossref

Objectives
This study investigated the status of sexual identity, perceived stigma, stress, depression, and suicidal ideation and attempts. It also examined how sexual identity and “coming out” affect stress, depression, and suicidal ideation and attempts.
Methods
Suicidal ideation, psychological health status, and health-related behaviors were assessed using the Internet to maximize the confidentiality of the participants, men who have sex with men (MSM). The data were collected from a total of 873 MSM aged between 19 years and 59 years in 2014.
Results
Only 20.9% of the MSM had come out (18.0% voluntarily and 2.9% by others). The prevalences of perceived stress and depression among MSM were 46.7% and 42.7%, respectively, compared with 20.1% and 7.4% among general men. Approximately 32% of the MSM reported any suicidal ideation, and 3.3% had attempted suicide in the past year. The likelihood of suicidal ideation was significantly associated with being age 30–39 years [odds ratio (OR) = 1.8], high school or less (OR = 1.6), having been outed (OR = 5.2), feeling stressed (OR = 1.8), and feeling depressed (OR = 12.4) after sociodemographic factors and other perceptions were controlled for.
Conclusion
The present study provides evidence that MSM are at an elevated risk for suicidal ideation and attempts with high stress and depression. Some risk factors were specific to being gay or bisexual in a hostile environment.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Building Trust and Inclusivity: Navigating Layered Stigma and Risk Communication for LGBTQ+ Individuals During COVID‐19 Outbreaks
JungKyu Rhys Lim, Hyoyeun Jun, Victoria Ledford
Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Stress of being outed to parents, LGBTQ family support, and depressive symptoms among sexual and gender diverse youth
Peter S. McCauley, Alexander J. Del Farno, Antonia E. Caba, Benton M. Renley, Shaylynne Shuler, Lisa A. Eaton, Ryan J. Watson
Journal of Research on Adolescence.2024; 34(1): 205. CrossRef
High Interest in the Use of mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nepal
Kamal Gautam, Kiran Paudel, Ali Ahmed, Manisha Dhakal, Jeffrey A Wickersham, Krishna C Poudel, Sherry Pagoto, Bibhav Acharya, Keshab Deuba, Pablo K Valente, Roman Shrestha
Journal of Community Health.2024; 49(4): 575. CrossRef
Health of Korean sexual and gender minorities: a narrative review of quantitative studies
Heesung So, Ssirai Kim, Sun Young Lee
The Ewha Medical Journal.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Exploring Socio-Political Factors and Quality of Life Among LGBT Individuals in India
Archana Bhattacharyya, Koteshwar Ramesh Rakesh
Journal of Homosexuality.2024; : 1. CrossRef
Age Differences in the Associations Between Outness and Suicidality Among LGBTQ+ Youth
Brian A. Feinstein, Ethan H. Mereish, Mary Rose Mamey, Cindy J. Chang, Jeremy T. Goldbach
Archives of Suicide Research.2023; 27(2): 734. CrossRef
Psychological Status of Men Who Have Sex with Men during COVID-19: An Online Cross-Sectional Study in Western China
Bing Lin, Jiaxiu Liu, Wei He, Haiying Pan, Xiaoni Zhong
International Journal of Environmental Research an.2023; 20(2): 1333. CrossRef
Social capital, perceived stress, and mental health of men who have sex with men in China: A cross-sectional study
Xiaoyue Zhang, Ying Zhou, Kaili Zhang
Frontiers in Psychology.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
HIV-related stigma, depression and suicidal ideation among HIV-positive MSM in China: a moderated mediation model
Jiaqi Fu, Xu Chen, Zhenwei Dai, Yiman Huang, Weijun Xiao, Hao Wang, Mingyu Si, Yijin Wu, Ling Zhang, Shu Jing, Xin Liu, Fei Yu, Guodong Mi, Xiao-You Su
BMC Public Health.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Trends in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related Knowledge and Stigma among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Republic of Korea from 2012 to 2022
Aeree Sohn
Healthcare.2023; 11(24): 3135. CrossRef
HIV-Related Stigma, Sexual Identity, and Depressive Symptoms Among MSM Living With HIV in China: A Moderated Mediation Modeling Analysis
Tianyue Mi, Guanghua Lan, Xueying Yang, Xiaoming Li, Shan Qiao, Zhiyong Shen, Yuejiao Zhou
American Journal of Men's Health.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Sexual Minority Stigma, Sexual Orientation Concealment, Social Support and Depressive Symptoms Among Men Who have Sex with Men in China: A Moderated Mediation Modeling Analysis
Changmian Ding, Xiangfan Chen, Wei Wang, Bin Yu, Huimin Yang, Xiaoyan Li, Shumin Deng, Hong Yan, Shiyue Li
AIDS and Behavior.2020; 24(1): 8. CrossRef
TRANSNATIONAL INTEREST CONVERGENCE AND GLOBAL KOREA AT THE EDGE OF RACE AND QUEER EXPERIENCES
Patrick S. Thomsen
Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race.2020; 17(2): 411. CrossRef
Is Perceived Stigma in Clinical Settings Associated With Poor Health Status Among New York City’s Residents of Color?
Prabal De, Alexis Pozen, Henna Budhwani
Medical Care.2019; 57(12): 960. CrossRef
Comparison of depression and anxiety between HIV-negative men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) and men who have sex with men only (MSMO): a cross-sectional study in Western China
Ying Hu, Xiao-ni Zhong, Bin Peng, Yan Zhang, Hao Liang, Jiang-hong Dai, Juying Zhang, Xiao-hua Zhong, Ai-long Huang
BMJ Open.2019; 9(1): e023498. CrossRef
Transgender Women's Experiences with Stigma, Trauma, and Attempted Suicide in the Dominican Republic
Henna Budhwani, Kristine R. Hearld, Adrienne N. Milner, Rebecca Charow, Elaine M. McGlaughlin, Mayra Rodriguez‐Lauzurique, Santo Rosario, Robert Paulino‐Ramirez
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior.2018; 48(6): 788. CrossRef
The Reciprocal Relationship between Suicidality and Stigma
Bernardo Carpiniello, Federica Pinna
Frontiers in Psychiatry.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
Fallen Flowers
Hae-Wol Cho, Chaeshin Chu
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2016; 7(5): 279. CrossRef

Identifying Barriers to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing for Men Who Have Sex with Men in South Korea: Aeree Sohn, Byonghee Cho, Harvey A. Kennedy; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2015;6(3):192-200. Published online June 30, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrp.2015.06.003

4,240 View
31 Download
7 Crossref

Abstract PDF

Objectives
The principal objective of this study was to identify the barriers to testing for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Korea, something that might prove useful in future studies of this nature.
Methods
This study was conducted at gay bars nationwide in Korea. After considering several offline locations (gay bars) where MSM candidates are commonly located, random recruitment was performed using time–location sampling. A total of 944 individuals participated in this survey. A total sample of 921 cases (23 cases were excluded) was used for analysis. A self-administered questionnaire measuring the individuals' demographics, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS knowledge, stigma, phobia, optimism bias, self-efficacy for condom use, and sexual practices was used.
Results
About 61.8% (N = 569) of respondents reported having been tested at least once in their lifetime, and 38.9% (N = 358) acknowledged being tested within the past 12 months. After adjusting for age, education, and number of partners in a logistic regression analysis, awareness of testing place [odds ratio (OR) = 4.04], exposure to HIV prevention campaign (1.54), fear (OR = 1.13), and discrimination toward people with HIV/AIDS (OR = 0.94) were the main factors associated with HIV testing.
Conclusion
To accomplish widespread HIV testing for Korean MSM, the accessibility of testing centers and advertisement of voluntary counseling and testing to MSM are needed.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Behavioral predictors associated with HIV screening needs in gay Korean men during the COVID-19 pandemic
Rang Hee Kwon, So-Hyun Kim, Minsoo Jung, Omid Dadras
PLOS ONE.2023; 18(6): e0287061. CrossRef
Trends in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related Knowledge and Stigma among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Republic of Korea from 2012 to 2022
Aeree Sohn
Healthcare.2023; 11(24): 3135. CrossRef
Cost-effectiveness analysis of pre-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of HIV in men who have sex with men in South Korea: a mathematical modelling study
Heun Choi, Jiyeon Suh, Woonji Lee, Jun Hyoung Kim, Jung Ho Kim, Hye Seong, Jin Young Ahn, Su Jin Jeong, Nam Su Ku, Yoon Soo Park, Joon Sup Yeom, Changsoo Kim, Hee-Dae Kwon, Davey M. Smith, Jeehyun Lee, Jun Yong Choi
Scientific Reports.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Users' Concerns Related to Online HIV Counseling in South Korea: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
Han Ju Lee, Hee Sun Kang, Savitri Singh-Carlson, Kyung Sun Kim
Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.2020; 31(6): 646. CrossRef
The use of social marketing campaigns to increase HIV testing uptake: a systematic review
John O. Olawepo, Jennifer R. Pharr, Axenya Kachen
AIDS Care.2019; 31(2): 153. CrossRef
Non-adherence to anti-retroviral therapy among HIV infected adults in Mon State of Myanmar
Win Lei Aye, Apa Puckpinyo, Karl Peltzer
BMC Public Health.2017;[Epub] CrossRef
Discrimination and Stigma
Hae-Wol Cho, Chaeshin Chu
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2015; 6(3): 141. CrossRef

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Sexual Behaviors in HIV/AIDS and Predictors Affecting Condom Use among Men Who Have Sex with Men in South Korea: Aeree Sohn, Byonghee Cho; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2012;3(3):156-164. Published online June 30, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrp.2012.07.001

4,946 View
37 Download
35 Crossref

Abstract PDF

Objectives
In South Korea, men who have sex with men (MSM) are rather understudied, but are known to be at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study was to access HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and risk behaviors, and to identify the factors of condom use in HIV prevention.
Methods
We recruited 1070 MSM in Korea, using the Internet to maximize the confidentiality of the MSM.
Results
The prevalence of self-reported and sexually transmitted infections and HIV in the total sample was 10.7% and 2.7%, respectively. Factual knowledge and phobias regarding HIV/AIDS and self-efficacy were relatively high among the MSM. After controlling for age, education, marital status, and sexual identity, predictors of condom use at most recent anal sex included knowledge (OR = 1.25; p < 0.0001); self-efficacy (OR = 1.33; p = 0.02), additionally, having HIV testing (OR = 1.45; p = 0.02); and having a regular partner (OR = 0.53; p < 0.0001) were also positively associated with condom use.
Conclusion
The intervention programs for MSM in Korea may need to take the idiosyncratic societal and cultural pressures of the region into consideration in order to reduce infection risk.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Physical Distancing for Gay Men from People Living with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Minsoo Jung
Journal of Homosexuality.2025; 72(2): 194. CrossRef
Unveiling the dynamics of HIV transmission among young homosexual and bisexual men in Korea
Minsoo Jung
BMC Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Consistency of Condom Use with Lubricants and Associated Factors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ghana: Evidence from Integrated Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Survey
Ratif Abdulai, Edith Phalane, Kyeremeh Atuahene, Isaiah Doe Kwao, Rita Afriyie, Yegnanew A. Shiferaw, Refilwe Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya
International Journal of Environmental Research an.2025; 22(4): 599. CrossRef
Mediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between perceived MSM related stigma and depressive symptoms among men who have sex with men in Nepal
Kiran Paudel, Prashamsa Bhandari, Kamal Gautam, Jeffrey A. Wickersham, Toan Ha, Swagata Banik, Roman Shrestha, Cesar Infante Xibille
PLOS ONE.2024; 19(1): e0296097. CrossRef
Can platform use patterns be an indicator of HIV-related risk and sub-group heterogeneity among men who have sex with men in Singapore: a latent class analysis
Isabel Tavitian-Exley, Ying Hao, Mark I-C. Chen, Chen Seong Wong, Chronos Kwok, Matthias Paul Han Sim Toh
Frontiers in Public Health.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
From University Students and Graduates to Male Sex Workers: The Career Decisions and Decision-Making Processes
Luis Miguel Dos Santos
Sage Open.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Assessing COVID-19 Vulnerability Among HIV-positive Men Who Have Sex With Men in Korea: The Role of Vaccination and Sexual Behaviors
Minsoo Jung
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2024; 57(4): 370. CrossRef
Awareness, Intention to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and Factors Associated with Awareness among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Republic of Korea
Sarang Jang, Aeree Sohn
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease.2024; 9(8): 170. CrossRef
Current and Future Perspectives of HIV Prevention Research Among Young Sexual Minority Men in South Korea
Seul Ki Choi, Jesse Golinkoff, Willey Y. Lin, Lisa Hightow-Weidman, Kathryn Muessig, José Bauermeister
Archives of Sexual Behavior.2023; 52(2): 721. CrossRef
Behavioral predictors associated with HIV screening needs in gay Korean men during the COVID-19 pandemic
Rang Hee Kwon, So-Hyun Kim, Minsoo Jung, Omid Dadras
PLOS ONE.2023; 18(6): e0287061. CrossRef
A Korean Post-Marketing Study of Abacavir/Dolutegravir/Lamivudine in Patients with HIV-1
Sang-Kyu Shin, Jung-Eun Cho, Eun-Bin Lee, Yeon-Sook Kim, Sook-In Jung
Infection & Chemotherapy.2023; 55(3): 337. CrossRef
Trends in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Related Knowledge and Stigma among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Republic of Korea from 2012 to 2022
Aeree Sohn
Healthcare.2023; 11(24): 3135. CrossRef
A Korean Post-Marketing Surveillance Study of Dolutegravir Single-Agent Tablets in Patients with HIV-1
Sungshin Kwon, Jung-Eun Cho, Eun-Bin Lee, Yeon-Sook Kim, Jang-Wook Sohn
Infection & Chemotherapy.2022; 54(4): 711. CrossRef
Scrutinizing the knowledge and stigma of HIV/AIDS in the community level in Indonesia and the correlation to risk groups aversion to screening
Lee T Sen, Pavita M S Hutauruk, Mohammad R A Putra, Salsabila B Maulida, Areska Ramadhan, Agus Sugiharto
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Sci.2021; 716(1): 012089. CrossRef
The Relationship between Self-Efficacy and Spirituality in Condom use Behaviour among Msm-Plwha in Bandung, Indonesia
Nirwanto K. Rahim, Agung Waluyo, Sri Yona
Journal of Public Health Research.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Factors affecting stigma communication towards people living with HIV/AIDS
Hye-Won Kim, Hyejin Yang
The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing .2021; 27(2): 163. CrossRef
Factors influencing HIV-risk perception among MSM students at a university in Durban, South Africa
Geogina Charity Gumindega, Pranitha Maharaj
African Journal of AIDS Research.2021; 20(3): 244. CrossRef
Predictors of Condom Use among Gay and Bisexual Men in the Philippines
Noriel P. Calaguas
International Journal of Sexual Health.2020; 32(3): 188. CrossRef
Cost-effectiveness analysis of pre-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of HIV in men who have sex with men in South Korea: a mathematical modelling study
Heun Choi, Jiyeon Suh, Woonji Lee, Jun Hyoung Kim, Jung Ho Kim, Hye Seong, Jin Young Ahn, Su Jin Jeong, Nam Su Ku, Yoon Soo Park, Joon Sup Yeom, Changsoo Kim, Hee-Dae Kwon, Davey M. Smith, Jeehyun Lee, Jun Yong Choi
Scientific Reports.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Prevalence and correlates of lifetime and recent HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) who use mobile geo-social networking applications in Greater Tokyo
Adam O. Hill, Benjamin R. Bavinton, Gregory Armstrong, Limin Mao
PLOS ONE.2019; 14(1): e0209933. CrossRef
HIV/AIDS knowledge among MSM in Brazil: a challenge for public policies
Mark Drew Crosland Guimarães, Laio Magno, Maria das Graças Braga Ceccato, Raquel Regina de Freitas Magalhães Gomes, Andrea Fachel Leal, Daniela Riva Knauth, Maria Amélia de Sousa Mascena Veras, Inês Dourado, Ana Maria de Brito, Carl Kendall, Ligia Regina
Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
Low sexually transmissible infection knowledge, risk perception and concern about infection among men who have sex with men and transgender women at high risk of infection
Iván C. Balán, Javier Lopez-Rios, Curtis Dolezal, Christine Tagliaferri Rael, Cody Lentz
Sexual Health.2019; 16(6): 580. CrossRef
Differences in Risky Sexual Behavior According to Sexual Orientation in Korean Adolescents
Ji-Su Kim, Kyunghee Kim, Yeunhee Kwak
Journal of Homosexuality.2019; 66(1): 17. CrossRef
Condom use social norms and self-efficacy with different kinds of male partners among Chinese men who have sex with men: results from an online survey
Cheng Wang, Joseph D. Tucker, Chuncheng Liu, Heping Zheng, Weiming Tang, Li Ling
BMC Public Health.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Inconsistent Condom Use among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) Who Use Mobile Geo-Social Networking Applications in Greater Tokyo
Adam O Hill, Benjamin R Bavinton, Gregory Armstrong
International Journal of Environmental Research an.2018; 15(12): 2815. CrossRef
Hidden Lives of Korean LGBT adolescents : A qualitative case study
주재홍
Journal of Education & Culture.2017; 23(1): 175. CrossRef
Beliefs and Perception About HIV/AIDS, Self-Efficacy, and HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Young Thai Men Who Have Sex With Men
Natawan Khumsaen, Rob Stephenson
AIDS Education and Prevention.2017; 29(2): 175. CrossRef
Fallen Flowers
Hae-Wol Cho, Chaeshin Chu
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2016; 7(5): 279. CrossRef
HIV and Sexual Risk Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Women in Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A. L. Bowring, V. Veronese, J. S. Doyle, M. Stoove, M. Hellard
AIDS and Behavior.2016; 20(10): 2243. CrossRef
How do Sexual Identity, and Coming Out Affect Stress, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in South Korea?
Byonghee Cho, Aeree Sohn
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2016; 7(5): 281. CrossRef
Identifying Barriers to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing for Men Who Have Sex with Men in South Korea
Aeree Sohn, Byonghee Cho, Harvey A. Kennedy
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2015; 6(3): 192. CrossRef
Discrimination and Stigma
Hae-Wol Cho, Chaeshin Chu
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2015; 6(3): 141. CrossRef
Changing Patterns of HIV Epidemic in 30 Years in East Asia
S. Pilar Suguimoto, Teeranee Techasrivichien, Patou Masika Musumari, Christina El-saaidi, Bhekumusa Wellington Lukhele, Masako Ono-Kihara, Masahiro Kihara
Current HIV/AIDS Reports.2014; 11(2): 134. CrossRef
‘Gay bowel syndrome’
Farhad Cooper, Tristan Barber
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases.2014; 27(1): 84. CrossRef
What is Next for HIV/AIDS in Korea?
Hae-Wol Cho, Chaeshin Chu
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2013; 4(6): 291. CrossRef

Author index