Factors Associated with Dietary Supplement Consumption Behaviour among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Abstract

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) group is a demographic group that values physical appearance in order to be accepted in society and be a source of sexual attraction to gay men themselves. Dietary supplements may be sought to help enhance health and physical appearance according to the values of the MSM group. The MSM therefore a group at risk for side effects that are harmful to their health from inappropriate dietary supplement consumption behaviour.

Objectives: This survey research aimed to explore dietary supplement consumption behaviour and the factors associated with dietary supplement consumption behaviour among the MSM.

Methods: This study was cross-sectional survey research between December 2023 to February 2024, using the PRECEDE-PROCEDE model in phase 3 educational and ecological assessment. This model included predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors, along with the theory of reasoned action to develop a conceptual framework for analyzing the variables of concern. The samples comprised of 318 people, receiving health services at the Rainbow Sky Medical Technical Clinic Ramkhamhaeng Branch and the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand. Participants were selected using purposive sampling methods. The data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire via Google Forms and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Correlations were analyzed showed Pearson correlation coefficient, One-way ANOVA and Independent t-test.

Results: The results showed that the majority of samples were aged between 19 to 62 years old, their average income were 29,762.07 THB, most of them graduated in undergraduate (70.40%), no underlying diseases (74.80%), occupation in company employee (60.40%) and most of them had sex role in both (43.40%), top (36.50%) and bottom (43.40%) respectively. The result of predisposing factors included body image values (mean = 4.16) was at high level. their dietary supplement consumption attitudes (mean = 3.57) and subjective norms beliefs (mean = 3.53) were at moderate level. Reinforcing factors include channel of distribution accessibility (mean = 3.63) was at moderate level. Enabling factors include influence of media about dietary supplement consumption (mean = 3.59) was at moderate level. Dietary supplement consumption behaviour (mean = 3.26) was at moderate level. Factors significantly positive associated with dietary supplement consumption behavior included education level (F = 3.81, p-value = 0.023), body image values (r = 0.27, p-value = 0.001), dietary supplement consumption attitudes (r = 0.16, p-value = 0.003), subjective norms beliefs (r = 0.43, p-value < 0.001), channel of distribution accessibility (r = 0.41, p-value < 0.001), influence of media about dietary supplement consumption (r = 0.37, p-value < 0.001).

Conclusions: The MSM group had moderate dietary supplement consumption behavior. They placed a high value on physical appearance, but there was an attitude towards consumption, conformity to the reference group, access to distribution sources, and the influence of the media on the decision to consume dietary supplements at a moderate level. Factors that had a positive relationship with dietary supplement consumption behaviour that was statistically significant included education level, physical appearance values, attitude towards consumption, conformity to the reference group, access to distribution sources, and the influence of the media on decision-making. The findings of this study can be used to design health policy, health education and health promotion intervention program to promote more appropriate dietary supplement consumption behavior among the MSM.