Salud psicosocial de la población de gais, bisexuales y otros hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) en Colombia

Abstract

Introduction

Psychosocial health is fundamental to the well-being of the human being. In the case of the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) population, it is affected by discrimination, homophobia, marginalisation and social exclusion.

Methods

A quantitative investigation was designed, which used a virtual survey. Kruskal Wallis tests were performed for the difference in medians between the internalised Index of Homphobia (IH) and various variables; this same test was used for the comorbidity between anxiety and depression.

Results

A sample of 8,208 individuals was obtained, with ages between 18 and 75 years. Between the IH indices and the educational level variable, statistically significant differences are observed in the medians of the different categories. On the other hand, 8.0% of the population presents with moderate levels of comorbidity between anxiety and depression and 4.0%, a severe level.

Discussion

IH decreases as the subjects prepare academically, while the severity of anxiety and depression is greater in those who report complicated affective relationships. People with a diagnosis of HIV present with a greater severity of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

IH, depression, and anxiety are linked to intersectional discrimination, leading to greater individual and social vulnerability for people who are gay, people who are bisexual, and other men who have sex with men that directly affects their psychosocial health.