Assessment of HIV testing among young methamphetamine users in Muse, Northern Shan State, Myanmar.

Yu Mon Saw,Nang Pann Ei Kham,Jessica E Cope,Soe Tun,Nyein Chan,Kyi Mar Wai,Krishna C Poudel,Thu Nandar Saw

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-735

Abstract

BackgroundMethamphetamine (MA) use has a strong correlation with risky sexual behaviors, and thus may be triggering the growing HIV epidemic in Myanmar. Although methamphetamine use is a serious public health concern, only a few studies have examined HIV testing among young drug users. This study aimed to examine how predisposing, enabling and need factors affect HIV testing among young MA users.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2013 in Muse city in the Northern Shan State of Myanmar. Using a respondent-driven sampling method, 776 MA users aged 18-24 years were recruited. The main outcome of interest was whether participants had ever been tested for HIV. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were applied in this study.ResultsApproximately 14.7% of young MA users had ever been tested for HIV. Significant positive predictors of HIV testing included predisposing factors such as being a female MA user, having had higher education, and currently living with one’s spouse/sexual partner. Significant enabling factors included being employed and having ever visited NGO clinics or met NGO workers. Significant need factors were having ever been diagnosed with an STI and having ever wanted to receive help to stop drug use.ConclusionsPredisposing, enabling and need factors were significant contributors affecting uptake of HIV testing among young MA users. Integrating HIV testing into STI treatment programs, alongside general expansion of HIV testing services may be effective in increasing HIV testing uptake among young MA users.

Highlights

Methamphetamine (MA) use has a strong correlation with risky sexual behaviors, and may be triggering the growing HIV epidemic in Myanmar
Significant need factors were having ever been diagnosed with an sexually transmitted infection (STI) (AOR 4.83; 95% Confidence intervals (CI) 2.31 to 10.13) and having ever wanted to receive help to stop drug use (AOR 4.96; 95% CI 2.23 to 11.05; Table 2)
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify the factors associated with uptake of HIV testing among young MA users in Muse city, Myanmar, where use of MA has sharply risen over the past few decades along with increasing numbers of HIV-infected individuals

Summary

Introduction

Methamphetamine (MA) use has a strong correlation with risky sexual behaviors, and may be triggering the growing HIV epidemic in Myanmar. Methamphetamine use is a serious public health concern, only a few studies have examined HIV testing among young drug users. This study aimed to examine how predisposing, enabling and need factors affect HIV testing among young MA users. The use of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) including methamphetamines (MA) is a significant public health concern. In 2010, worldwide estimated prevalence for ATS use ranged between 0.3% to 1.2%, with the number of people aged 15– 64 years who had used a stimulant substance at least. Most young drug users have limited awareness of the negative health risks of their drug-related behaviors, such as HIV, as well as poor general knowledge and awareness of HIV infection [9,10]

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