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Abstract
A baseline understanding of MSM commercial sex activity at Mumbai truck terminals
S Pandya, E Noronha
Humsafar Trust, Mumbai, India
Background: Despite anecdotal evidence of MSM sexual activity a truck stops, quantitative data is absent. A BSS of male sex workers (MSWs) at Mumbai truck terminals was designed by Humsafar to produce data for designing interventions to effectively serve MSWs and their clientele.
Methods:A semi-structured questionnaire of 86 questions was pre-tested by trained field workers before being administered to a 'blanket sampling' of 141 MSWs. This included questions that uncover the population's knowledge, attitudes and prevalence of abusive and preventive behaviours, and provides information regarding their clientele.
Results:Findings suggest satisfactory understanding of HIV transmission, though some incorrectly believe routes include mosquitos (36.7%), sharing a toilet (26.5%) & sharing utensils (22%) with an infected person. Over 33% of MSWs consumes liquor and reports the use of other intoxicants, such as paan (betel nut) or gutka (chewing tobacco) prior to sex. 33%of MSWs has had some STI in the past 6 months but 35% treated them with home remedies. Condom accessibility and use is relatively high; e.g. 92.4% of MSWs use condoms during receptive anal sex with clients. 68.9% of MSWs reveal their clients wear condoms when oral sex is performed on them but the majority of MSWs (68.7%) do NOT when they are the receptive partners (25% of MSWs). MSWs report an average of 22.5 male partners in a week. Approximately 15% also have sex with females, mainly non-spousal sex partners (77.3%). 81.4% of MSWs are always receptive anal partners during sexual acts with their clients;15% of MSWs admit to being INSERTIVE partners.
Conclusion:While overall HIV knowledge and condom usage is high, programs targeting MSWs must address misconceptions regarding HIV transmission, STI treatment, and substance abuse associated with commercial sex activity. Also, information uncovered through this baseline data suggests outreach activities to female and receptive male clientele should be developed.
The XV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
WePpC2070
Suggested Citation
" S Pandya, et al.
A baseline understanding of MSM commercial sex activity at Mumbai truck terminals.
Poster presentation:
The XV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
WePpC2070"
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