Religiosity and Conversion Therapy is Associated with Psychosocial Health Problems among Sexual Minority Men (SMM) in Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

We investigated the associations between social marginalization, psychosocial health, and religiosity among sexual minority men (SMM) in Nigeria (N = 406). We conducted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. Factors associated with reporting a history of conversion therapy at a religious institution were being HIV positive, having depressive symptoms, reporting suicide thoughts, and reporting inability to access medical care. Factors associated with increased odds of agreeing that sex between two men was a sin were residing in Plateau, being Muslim, and higher levels of internalized homophobia. Our findings support the need for LGBT-affirming religious doctrine, which has implications for the health of LGBT communities.