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05-03-2025 | Original Paper

Patterns of Alcohol Use and Daily Smoking Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nepal

Authors: Kiran Paudel, Kamal Gautam, Md Safaet Hossain Sujan, Prakash Adhikari, Sandesh Bhusal, Jeffrey A. Wickersham, K. C. Bhakta, Sabitri Sapkota, Manisha Dhakal, Tara Ballav Adhikari, Roman Shrestha

Published in: Journal of Community Health

Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM) have an elevated risk of adverse health outcomes associated with alcohol use and smoking. Although substantial studies have been conducted globally, little is known about alcohol use and smoking among MSM in Nepal. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the prevalence and patterns of alcohol use and daily smoking among MSM in Nepal. A cross-sectional respondent-driven survey was conducted among MSM in Kathmandu, Nepal, between October and December 2022. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate independent correlates of alcohol use in the past 12 months and daily smoking. Among 250 participants (mean age 27.6 ± 8.9 years), 71.6% had consumed alcohol in the past 12 months, and 42% smoked daily in the last 30 days. MSM who had an income of less than NRs 20,000 (aOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1–3.8), were single (aOR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.8), employed (aOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1–4.1), engaged in sex work (aOR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.1–11.1), ever smoked (aOR: 5.1; 95% CI: 2.6–9.7), and who did not engage in condomless sex (aOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1–4.5) were more likely to use alcohol in the past 12 months. Similarly, participants who were born in Bagmati province (aOR: 3.7; 95% CI: 1.8–7.6), and had a history of drug use (aOR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.3–5.7), and police detention (aOR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.3–9.2) were more likely to be involved in daily smoking. The findings underscore the necessity of MSM-specific alcohol and smoking cessation programs in Nepal.

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Title: Patterns of Alcohol Use and Daily Smoking Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nepal
Authors: Kiran Paudel
Kamal Gautam
Md Safaet Hossain Sujan
Prakash Adhikari
Sandesh Bhusal
Jeffrey A. Wickersham
K. C. Bhakta
Sabitri Sapkota
Manisha Dhakal
Tara Ballav Adhikari
Roman Shrestha
Publication date: 05-03-2025
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Community Health
Print ISSN: 0094-5145
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-025-01456-8

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