Sexual Orientation and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Male Students of a University in Southern Thailand
Sureerut Rongruang MEd*, Sawitri Assanangkornchai MD, PhD**, Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong MD, PhD**, Padoongyot Duangmala MSc***
Affiliation : * Health Education Program, Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, Pattani, Thailand ** Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand *** President’s Office, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
Objective : To determine the prevalence of sexual orientation, identify predictors of being homosexual or bisexual (HB),
and assess the association of sexual orientation with sexual risk behaviors among university male students in southern
Thailand.
Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on third year male university students between June 2008
and February 2009 using anonymous self-administered questionnaires.
Results : Among 1,101 eligible students, 1,013 (92%) responded. The prevalence of heterosexuality, homosexuality, and
bisexuality among respondents were 90.2%, 6.7%, and 3.1%, respectively giving a prevalence of HB of 9.8%. Significant
factors predicting HB included having separated parents. Overall lifetime prevalence of men having sex with men (MSM)
was 6.3% (2% in heterosexual males and 46.5% among HB males). HB males were more likely to have multiple sex partners
and engage in group sex, and less likely to use condoms than were heterosexual males.
Conclusion : The prevalence of sexual risk behaviors among these male students, especially HB, was high.
Keywords : Sexual orientation, Sexual risk behaviors, Men who have sex with men, University student
