Overall characteristics of the sample (N=284)
| Characteristic | N=284 |
|---|---|
| Mean age, years (SD) | 24.6 (4.71) |
| Currently living | |
| Mainland | 186 (65.5) |
| Penang Island | 98 (34.5) |
| Marital status | |
| Single | 259 (91.2) |
| Married | 19 (6.7) |
| Divorced/separated/widowed | 6 (2.1) |
| Highest education level completed | |
| Primary | 4 (1.4) |
| Secondary | 65 (22.9) |
| Diploma/A level | 142 (50.0) |
| Degree/postgraduate | 73 (25.7) |
| Employment status | |
| Student | 104 (36.6) |
| Employed | 170 (59.9) |
| Unemployed | 10 (3.5) |
| Living situation | |
| Alone | 52 (18.3) |
| With parents/family | 117 (41.2) |
| With male housemate | 85 (29.9) |
| With male partner | 15 (5.3) |
| With female partner | 15 (5.3) |
| Number of friends who are MSM | |
| None | 11 (3.9) |
| 1–5 | 75 (26.4) |
| 6–10 | 29 (10.2) |
| 11–15 | 15 (5.3) |
| >15 | 154 (54.2) |
| Any female sex partners in the past year | 69 (24.3) |
| Any injection drug use in the past year | 29 (10.2) |
| HIV testing | |
| In the past year | 40 (14.1) |
| >12 months | 31 (10.9) |
| Never | 213 (75.0) |
| Reasons for not testing for HIV in the past year (not mutually exclusive) | |
| Afraid of knowing the results | 135 (55.3) |
| Afraid of others learning of a positive result | 106 (43.4) |
| Are aware of where they can get HIV testing | 149 (52.5) |
| Reactive to HIV antibody among those who agreed to be tested (n=262) | 4 (1.9) |
| Underwent testing for STIs in the past year | 73 (25.7) |
| Self-reported positive STIs among those tested (n=73) | 14 (19.2) |
| STI symptoms in the past year | 22 (7.8) |
MSM, men who have sex with men; STI, sexually transmitted infection.