HIV/AIDS PREVENTION KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICES, AND SECRECY AMONG MARRIED BISEXUAL MEN ENGAGING IN MSM BEHAVIOR IN MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.25/no.1/art.3026Keywords:
HIV/AIDS prevention, married bisexual men, MSM, secrecy, stigma reduction, dramaturgical theory, Malaysia, public health interventionsAbstract
HIV/AIDS remains a major public health challenge, with men who have sex with men (MSM) at increased risk globally. In conservative societies like Malaysia, married bisexual men engaging in MSM face additional barriers to HIV prevention due to societal stigma, legal constraints, and the need to conceal their sexual orientation within heterosexual marriages. This study explores HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge, practices, and experiences among 15 married bisexual men in Malaysia using a qualitative methodology with snowball sampling and in-depth interviews. Goffman’s dramaturgical theory reveals how participants balance societal expectations with health needs, often resulting in secrecy around HIV testing and selective condom use. Findings underscore the importance of confidential HIV testing and counselling services tailored to this population. Public health interventions focused on stigma reduction and discrete healthcare access could greatly improve HIV prevention efforts for married bisexual men in Malaysia
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