In summary, this

study demonstrates that some MSM attending gyms practise IAT and also that the interaction between IAT and sexual risk behaviour among MSM is multiplicative. MSM who are muscular and more attractive improve their self-esteem and are able to meet more sexual partners, thereby increasing their risk of HIV/STI. The gym selleck chemical culture in the homosexual community is an example of how internal dynamics and social norms are possible factors driving MSM to higher risk of HIV/STI. The homosexual community would benefit from a more holistic approach to sexual health by addressing body image and physical training and possible health outcomes. In addition, gym premises could be used to distribute safe-sex messages, in order to improve knowledge about HIV transmission,

as gyms are often frequented by MSM involved in risky sexual behaviour. Future research could compare risk behaviours between MSM who exercise regularly in gyms and those who do not, or with other MSM who engage in sport activities other than gyms, to determine whether similar conclusions can be drawn from different recreation activities. Supplementary Material Author’s manuscript: Click here to view.(1.8M, pdf) Reviewer comments: Click here to view.(169K, pdf) Footnotes Contributors: ZM: initiated the study, performed data analysis, and wrote the first draft. KP: performed a literature review and collected and analysed the data. ND: supervised analysis and participated in writing. IG: revised the paper and approved the final version. YL: analysed the data. Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. Competing interests: None. Patient consent: Obtained. Ethics approval: Wolfson Hospital IRB. Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally

peer reviewed. Data sharing statement: All data collected from study questionnaires are available by contacting the corresponding author: [email protected].
The centuries-old practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), also known as female circumcision, is a culturally sanctioned practice1 2 that consists Batimastat of “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.”1 According to the WHO typology, there are three main types: type I (clitoridectomy), type II (excision), type III (infibulation or pharaonic circumcision), and type IV, which is used to describe all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia in the absence of medical necessity.1 Types I–III and unaltered external female genitalia are depicted in figure 1.