Childhood sexual experiences among men who have sex with men in Brazil

Background: To describe prevalence of childhood sexual experiences (CSE) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgenders recruited in Campinas, Brazil

Methods: We used Respondent Driven Sampling, adjusting raw scores with weights derived from participants' reported network size and recruitment pattern. For reporting purposes, individuals born male who identified as women, transvestite or transsexual were labeled transgender.

Results: After adjustment, there were 517 participants (439 men and 78 transgenders), 30% of whom had had CSEs. Mean age at first CSE was 9 years, partners being on average 19 years old, and almost all men. Most frequent behaviors were exposing genitals, mutual fondling, and child masturbating older partner. Only 30% of the participants considered the CSE as abuse. 57% reported liking, 29% being indifferent, and only 14% not liking the CSE at the time it happened. At the time of the interview, these retrospective evaluations of the CSE experiences had varied only slightly. Transgenders, who had lower education than men and higher prevalence of HIV, were significantly more likely to report CSE, to have had more male partners, and to have been anally penetrated; transgenders had less negative feelings about the experience than men. No associations were found between CSE and unprotected receptive or insertive anal intercourse in adulthood.

Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of assessing respondents' perception of abuse, regardless of researchers' pre-determined criteria to identify abuse. This may be particularly relevant in relation to MSM and transgenders who might perceive CSEs differently than other populations.