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Abstract
High HIV/ STI prevalence among self-identified men who have sex with men in South India
L. Ramakrishnan1, S. Kallam1, A. Kohli1, R. Adhikary1, T. Saidel2, R. Paranjape3, M. Mainkar K.3, M.D. Gupte4, G.N.V. Brahmam5, B.M. Ramesh6
Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a critical high-risk group covered by HIV intervention programs. Between 2006 and 2007, an Integrated Behavioral and Biological Assessment was conducted among self-identified MSM in 11 districts of Andhra Pradesh (AP), Maharashtra (MH), Karnataka (KA), and Tamil Nadu (TN) as part of an evaluation for Avahan, the India AIDS Initiative.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of MSM was conducted using two-staged probability-based sampling design. Men or Hijra (transgenders) 18 years and older having had sex with a male in the last month were sampled using time-location sampling (TLS) method. After questionnaire, blood and urine specimens were collected to measure prevalence of HIV and STIs.
Results: Among 4,198 MSM, HIV prevalence ranged from 9.3% to 24.7% in AP, 10.2% to 17.4% in MH, 4.8% to 22.3% in TN, and 19.5% in KA. Prevalence of reactive syphilis serology, with positive confirmatory test, ranged from 3.5% in AP to 17.8% in TN. Prevalence of Gonorrhea (<1%) as well as Chlamydia (<5%) was very low across all districts. MSM having regular male partners ranged from 41% in KA to 100% in AP, while those having regular female partners ranged 8% in TN to 66% in AP. MSM who bought sex from any male partner ranged from 12% in TN to 49% in MH; those who bought sex from any female partner ranged from 6% in TN to 64% in AP. Consistent condom use among MSM with all types of partners was low across many districts; it was as low as 0% with regular female partners, 1% with paid male partners, and 2% with regular male partners in AP.
Conclusions: HIV prevalence among self-identified MSM was very high in many districts. Consistent condom use with all types of partners, syphilis screening and treatment need to be significantly improved in the immediate future.
AIDS 2008 - XVII International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDC0264
Suggested Citation
"L.Ramakrishnan, et al.
High HIV/ STI prevalence among self-identified men who have sex with men in South India.
:
AIDS 2008 - XVII International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDC0264"
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