Descriptive Epidemiology of Factors Associated with HIV Infections Among Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men in South India.

Souradet Y Shaw,Elsabé Du Plessis,James F Blanchard,Lyle Mckinnon,Stephen Moses,Robert Lorway,Laura H Thompson,Reynold Washington,Parinita Bhattacharjee,Banadakoppa M Ramesh,Sushena Reza-Paul,Shajy Isac

doi:10.1089/lgbt.2015.0023

Abstract

Purpose: Men and transgender women who have sex with men (MTWSM) continue to be an at-risk population for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in India. Identification of risk factors and determinants of HIV infection is urgently needed to inform prevention and intervention programming.Methods: Data were collected from cross-sectional biological and behavioral surveys from four districts in Karnataka, India. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to examine factors related to HIV infection. Sociodemographic, sexual history, sex work history, condom practices, and substance use covariates were included in regression models.Results: A total of 456 participants were included; HIV prevalence was 12.4%, with the highest prevalence (26%) among MTWSM from Bellary District. In bivariate analyses, district (P = 0.002), lack of a current regular female partner (P = 0.022), and reported consumption of an alcoholic drink in the last month (P = 0.004) were associated with HIV infection. In multivariable models, only alcohol use remained statistically significant (adjusted odds ratios: 2.6, 95% confidence intervals: 1.2–5.8; P = 0.02).Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV continues to be high among MTWSM, with the highest prevalence found in Bellary district.

Highlights

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in India continues to be a global concern, with the heterosexual spread of HIV through female sex work, an important factor in earlier phases of the HIV epidemic in southern India.[1]
HIV-positive respondents were more likely to be from Bellary (P = 0.002), less likely to report having a current regular female partner (P = 0.022), and more likely to report having at least one alcoholic drink in the last month (P = 0.004)
Our results demonstrate that HIV infection continues to be a major issue among MTWSM in southern India, with an overall HIV prevalence of 12% in our sample

Summary

Introduction

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in India continues to be a global concern, with the heterosexual spread of HIV through female sex work, an important factor in earlier phases of the HIV epidemic in southern India.[1]. Increasing emphasis has been placed on characterizing and responding to heterogeneity in the Indian HIV epidemic, and the different risk populations currently affected by HIV,[9,10,11] such as among men and transgender women who have sex with men (MTWSM).[10,12,13,14,15] MTWSM are recognized as a core group and are a priority for targeted interventions by the National AIDS Control Organization of India.[16] recent studies have increased our understanding of MTWSM,[9,11,17,18] there is still a paucity of data on the correlates of HIV infection among MTWSM in

Methods

Results

Conclusion