Suicidality in a venue-based sample of young men who have sex with men☆

Abstract 

Purpose

To examine the incidence, prevalence, and characteristics of suicide attempts in a unique, venue-based sample of young men who have sex with men (YMSM).

Methods

Eligible participants were 15–25-year-old men who were living in a major metropolitan area (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota) and had sex with men within 12 months of the interview. A total of 255 subjects were randomly sampled from popular venues for a structured, 20-min interview (1999) that included four items regarding suicide intentions and attempts. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate tests of statistical significance.

Results

Eighty-six percent of eligible individuals completed the survey. One-third of all respondents reported at least one suicide attempt, and 4.7% attempted suicide in the past year. Although suicide attempts were more prevalent among African-Americans and urban residents; only school enrollment was significantly associated with attempts in the multivariate analysis (odds ratio = .55, 95% confidence interval = .31, .97).

Conclusions

This study corroborates the findings of prior studies of high rates of suicide attempts among YMSM. In addition, it demonstrates that attempts are more prevalent among out-of-school youths.

Keywords:  Adolescence, Homosexuality, Sexuality, Suicide