ABSTRACT
Transgender people are a population vulnerable to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to frequent adoption of risky sexual behaviours. To reorient prevention interventions in this population, this study aims to identify factors associated with high-risk sexual behaviours. It's a cross-sectional study. The subjects were recruited by driven respondents sampling throughout the country in December 2017. They included subjects who identified themselves as Male to Female transgender and who adopted such an image. The data were collected by questionnaire. The variables were multi-partnership and condom use during sex. Proportion comparisons were made with Pearson's Chi2 test and multiple logistic modeling was performed. The prevalence of multipartnership was 83.85% and the prevalence of condom use during last intercourse was 92.41%. Sexual risk behaviours were associated with age (P = 0.004), occupation (P = 0.000), education level (P = 0.025), family and friends' attitudes towards transgender status (P = 0.044) and HIV prevention knowledge level (P < 0.05). The factors identified should be integrated into transgender interventions in Benin with a focus on improving knowledge in HIV prevention.
Pour réorienter les interventions de prévention à l'attention des transgenres homme vers femme, cette étude vise à identifier les facteurs associés à leurs comportements sexuels à risque d'infection au virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH). L'étude était transversale avec un recrutement par technique en boule de neige, réalisée en décembre 2017. Les variables d'intérêt étaient le multipartenariat sexuel et l'utilisation du préservatif lors des rapports sexuels. Une modélisation logistique multiple a été faite. La prévalence du multipartenariat était de 83,8 % et celle de l'utilisation du préservatif lors du dernier rapport sexuel de 92,4 %. Les comportements sexuels à risque étaient associés à l'âge (p = 0,004), à la profession (p = 0,000), au niveau d'instruction (p = 0,025), à l'attitude de l'entourage face au statut de transgenre (p = 0,044) et au niveau de connaissance en matière de prévention du VIH (p < 0,05). Les facteurs identifiés sont des pistes à intégrer dans les interventions pour les transgenres au Bénin avec un accent sur l'amélioration de la connaissance en prévention du VIH.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections , Transgender Persons , Benin/epidemiology , Condoms , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Sexual Behavior , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Cases of HIV are common in Benin, with infection rates varying according to socioeconomic and cultural factors, and by region. Certain segments of the population, such as prison inmates, sex worker clients and truck drivers are at high risk for HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study is to identify which behavioral and serological indicators contribute to the spread of HIV among prisoners. A total of 496 inmates from prisons located in all major cities in Benin were surveyed. Data was collected through interview sessions carried out using a questionnaire and through blood samples. The results show that most inmates are Beninese (83.5%), and the average age is 33 years (range: 14-80 years). No prisoner reported using a condom the last time they engaged in sexual intercourse. Blood exposure was found in 14.6% of inmates and HIV was detected in 1.4% of cases. Our analysis indicates that the length of detention and gender are factors that influence HIV status. However, age, education, nationality and HIV awareness had no significant effect on HIV prevalence among inmates. The results highlight the need to raise awareness in prisons about HIV. This can be achieved by strengthening communication strategies and by organizing HIV and sexually transmitted diseases information sessions for both prison officers and inmates.