Psychosocial health conditions and HIV prevalence and incidence in a cohort of men who have sex with men in Bangkok, Thailand: evidence of a syndemic effect.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Bangkok may experience multiple psychosocial health conditions, such as substance use, suicidality, and a history of sexual abuse. These factors may contribute to HIV vulnerability in a syndemic way. A syndemic is defined as a number of synergistically interacting health conditions producing excess disease in a population. The objective of this study is to examine whether psychosocial health conditions among MSM have a syndemic association with HIV prevalence and HIV incidence. To do this, we evaluated psychosocial health conditions and their associations with unprotected sex, HIV prevalence and HIV incidence in a cohort of Thai MSM (N = 1,292). There was a positive and significant association between the number of psychosocial health conditions and increased levels of unprotected sex and HIV prevalence at study baseline. The number of psychosocial health conditions at baseline was also associated with increased HIV incidence during follow-up (no conditions, HIV incidence = 15.3 %; one to three conditions, 23.7 %; four to five conditions, 33.2 %). The number of psychosocial health conditions was positively associated with HIV risk behavior and HIV prevalence and incidence. Prevention efforts among MSM need to address the existence of multiple psychosocial health conditions and their synergy to effectively decrease the spread of HIV infection.

Prevalence of Treponema pallidum seropositivity and herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in a cohort of men who have sex with men, Bangkok, Thailand, 2006-2010.

We report prevalence of Treponema pallidum (TP) seropositivity and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection and risk factors associated with their prevalence in a cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Bangkok, Thailand. Between April 2006 and March 2010 we enrolled Thai MSM into a cohort study based at the Silom Community Clinic, with baseline behavioural data and laboratory testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Logistic regression was used to analyse risk factors associated with the prevalence of TP seropositivity and HSV-2 infection. From a total of 1544 enrolled men (mean age 26 years) TP, HSV-2 and HIV seropositive rates were 4.4%, 20.7% and 21.6%, respectively. After multivariable analysis, participating in group sex, reporting paying for sex, reporting sex with a casual partner in a park and being HSV-2 seropositive were associated with TP prevalence. Age ≥30 years, having less than a high school education, past use of recreational drugs, meeting casual sexual partners at a public venue (sauna) and TP seropositivity were associated with HSV-2 infection. The significant baseline prevalence of TP seropositivity and HSV-2 infection in this cohort demonstrates the need for screening and treatment of these STIs and targeted prevention interventions in Thai MSM in Bangkok.

Risk behaviour and HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men in a multiethnic society: a venue-based study in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This research aimed to determine HIV prevalence, risk behaviour and knowledge of transmission methods among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Venue-day-time sampling (VDTS) was applied to identify venues where men congregate to solicit sex from other men. Participants recruited from clubs, massage parlours, saunas and one park self-completed a computerized behavioural questionnaire, were administered an oral rapid HIV test and given the opportunity to return later to receive full counselling and learn their HIV status. A total of 517 men were enrolled into the study. The majority were Malays (47.0%) and Chinese (43.7%). Twenty tested HIV positive (3.9%). Significant predictors of HIV infection included having unprotected anal sex with a casual partner (44.9% of participants, odds ratio [OR] = 2.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-7.90; P = 0.027), having unprotected receptive anal sex (27.9%, OR = 2.71; 95% CI 1.10-6.54; P = 0.030) and having group sex (33.3%, OR = 3.95; 95% CI 1.55-10.09; P = 0.004). One in five participants (20.1% and 19.5%) did not believe that HIV could be transmitted through insertive or receptive anal sex, respectively. Risk behaviour is high and knowledge of HIV transmission methods was low among MSM in Kuala Lumpur. Future prevention efforts should focus on providing risk reduction education to this community.

STD history, self treatment, and healthcare behaviours among fishermen in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

OBJECTIVE: Migrant populations are at higher risk for HIV infection. Access to health care and STD treatment is thought to lower this risk. This study aims to examine determinants of STD history and treatment and healthcare behaviours among fishermen in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. METHODS: A cross sectional survey of fishermen working on commercial fishing trawlers was conducted in four provinces in Thailand in early 1998. RESULTS: Of the 818 fishermen interviewed, 30% reported a history of STD, of which 31% reported self treatment of the last STD. 32% reported self care for general health while ashore. In multivariate analyses, a history of STD was significantly more often reported by older men compared with younger men, by owners and skippers compared with lower positions on the boat, and by men who have ever visited female sex workers. Self treatment of the last STD was related to being Burmese compared with being Thai, and to working as a steersman or ship hand compared with as a skipper. Self care for general health while ashore was significantly related to being Burmese or Khmer compared with being Thai, and to being unmarried compared with married. CONCLUSION: Burmese migrant fishermen and their needs should be targeted for culturally specific interventions to increase their understanding of STD treatment and improve their access to health care.

Rapid assessment of sexual behavior, drug use, human immunodeficiency virus, and sexually transmitted diseases in northern thai youth using audio-computer-assisted self-interviewing and noninvasive specimen collection.

BACKGROUND: Drug use, unwanted pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and sexually transmitted diseases are serious health problems among Thai youth. The gravity of these problems demands high-quality data to direct public health policy and prevention programs. Previous studies of stigmatized behaviors have been hampered by participation bias and underreporting. To evaluate sexual behavior, disease, and drug use, we used audio-computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) and noninvasive specimen collection methods. We also evaluated effectiveness of these methods in minimizing participation bias and underreporting. METHODS: In late 1999, students aged 15 to 21 years attending 3 vocational schools were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Consenting students completed a classroom-based ACASI interview using a confidential code number system. Oral fluid specimens were tested for HIV antibodies, and urine was tested for chlamydial and gonococcal nucleic acids, methamphetamines, and opiates. RESULTS: Of 1736 invited students, 1725 (99%) agreed to participate. Of these, 48% of the male students and 43% of the female students reported ever having had sexual intercourse. Overall, the mean number of lifetime sexual partners was 4.6 among male participants (median: 2) and 2.8 among female participants (median: 1). Consistent use of condoms with steady partners was reported by 16% of male participants and 11% of female participants who had such partners. Of all male participants, 7% had ever paid for sex, 3% had ever sold sex, and 7% had ever been coerced to have sex. Of all female participants, 3% had ever sold sex and 21% had ever been coerced to have sex. Among women with a history of sexual intercourse, 27% reported at least 1 pregnancy. Of these pregnancies, 83% were terminated. Among those with sexual intercourse experience, the prevalence of HIV infection was 0.5%; of infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 0.4%; and of infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, 5%. Twenty-nine percent of students reported ever having used methamphetamines. Ten percent had a methamphetamine-positive urine test. In the ACASI interview, 16% of these denied ever having used methamphetamines. The prevalence of opiate positive urine tests was low (0.2%). CONCLUSION: This study shows that adolescents and young adults in Chiang Rai are at high risk for having unprotected intercourse, being coerced to have sex, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and drug use. The high enrollment rate demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of using ACASI and noninvasive specimen collection methods in a developing country. ACASI use may lead to increased, but not to complete, self-reporting of sensitive behaviors.

Educational status and young Dutch gay men's beliefs about using condoms.

The higher levels of HIV risk behaviour that have been found in young gay men with lower socio-economic status (SES, among others defined as educational achievement) may result from unequal effects of safer sex interventions. We conducted semi-structured focus group interviews with an educationally diverse sample of 113 young gay men living in The Netherlands. The objective was to bring to light men's salient ('accessible') beliefs about using condoms since information about beliefs might facilitate the formulation of 'personally relevant' safer sex messages that enhance in-depth message processing. We found several educational differences in the areas of knowledge about HIV preventive behaviour, cognitive schemas about the factors involved in HIV transmission, perceived pros and cons of using condoms, perceived social pressure to use condoms and feelings of being in control of protective action. This may suggest that, for intervention efforts to be effective in motivating the diversity of young gay men to engage in safer sex, interventions should convey tailor-made messages that match recipients' educational degree. Several implications for the formulation of such messages are discussed.