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Abstract
Sexual risk behaviors and demographic characteristics of male sex workers in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2003
T E Guadamuz1, P Kunawararak2, C Beyrer1, J Pumpaisanchai2, D D Celentano1
1Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States; 2Office of Disease Prevention and Control 10, Thai Royal Ministry of Public Health, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Background: The Royal Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has been conducting annual national sentinel surveillance of HIV and syphilis among male sex workers (MSW) since 1989. However, there has been little attention given to the sexual risk behaviors and condom use correlates of MSW.
Methods: A behavioral assessment survey was included in the MOPH surveillance conducted during June 2003. 198 MSW from 14 sex establishments around Chiang Mai were interviewed. Participation was voluntary and confidential. Intercooled STATA 7.0 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Median age was 22 years, median number of clients was 2 per week, and the median time of sex work was 9 months (4 months for current establishment). Median payment per session was 750 Baht (US $20). 17% had no formal education and 62% had less than 12 years. 65% of MSW described themselves as heterosexuals. Non-Thai MSW made up 49% of the study participants with Shans representing the largest proportion of ethnic minorities, 64%. Of MSW that had at least one client, 84.7% had engaged in insertive anal intercourse, 69.4% had engaged in both insertive and receptive anal intercourse while only 2.8% had engaged in exclusive receptive anal intercourse. Within the past month, 31.7% of MSW had casual sexual encounters, 76.8% reported always using condoms with male clients, 90% reported always using condoms with female clients, 55% reported always using condoms with casual sex partners, and 20.6% reported always using condoms with regular sex partners. MSW that had less than 12 years of formal education were 3.5 times (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.2-10.2) more likely not to use condoms consistently or not use condoms at all. Non-Thai MSW were 2.87 times less likely to use condoms consistently with their regular sex partners than Thai MSW (95% CI: 1.04-7.88).
Conclusion: Prevention efforts should not be limited to clients and should include other sex partners. Culturally appropriate education and outreach activities are needed for the large number of ethnic minority MSW, particularly Shan MSW.
The XV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
WePeC6194
Suggested Citation
" T E Guadamuz , , et al.
Sexual risk behaviors and demographic characteristics of male sex workers in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2003.
Poster Exhibition:
The XV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
WePeC6194"
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