Phunlerd Piyaraj
Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Thailand
Title: Methamphetamine use prior to sex and the risk factors associated with HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand
Biography
Biography: Phunlerd Piyaraj
Abstract
To examine the prevalence of methamphetamine use prior to sex and to investigate the risk factors associated with HIV prevalence including methamphetamine use to enhance sex pleasure among MSM participating in BMCS in Bangkok, Thailand. A cross-sectional study of 1,744 MSM participating in a cohort of MSM in Bangkok, Thailand between April 2006 and November 2010 was evaluated for HIV prevalence and associated risk factors. Men were tested for STI/HIV infection at baseline. Demographic and behavioral data were collected by audio-computer-assisted self-interview. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors associated with HIV prevalence. Baseline prevalence of methamphetamine use was 11.2% (195/1,744), respectively. The overall HIV prevalence was 21.3% (372/1,744). Reported methamphetamine use was not associated with HIV prevalence in multiple logistic regressions. After adjusting for potential confounders, risk factors for HIV prevalence were self-identified as homosexual/gay, practice dual role taking of anal intercourse, ever had forced sex, younger age when having first sex, ever diagnosed STI, practice anal douched, recruited sex partners from park, used poppers, clinical appearance of anal warts, and Treponema Pallidum (TP), hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-1 and 2 positivity. The inverse factors associated with lower HIV prevalence were being a student, a history of HIV testing, and ever paid for sex. Behavior of methamphetamine use to enhance sex was common and there is a high prevalence of HIV infection among these men. It underscores the need for innovative and increased efforts to prevent HIV infection in this population.