TY - JOUR
T1 - Risk factors for HIV and unprotected anal intercourse among men who have sex with men (MSM) in almaty, Kazakhstan
AU - Berry, Mark
AU - Wirtz, Andrea L.
AU - Janayeva, Assel
AU - Ragoza, Valentina
AU - Terlikbayeva, Assel
AU - Amirov, Bauyrzhan
AU - Baral, Stefan
AU - Beyrer, Chris
PY - 2012/8/24
Y1 - 2012/8/24
N2 - Introduction: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for HIV infection. MSM in Central Asia, however, are not adequately studied to assess their risk of HIV transmission. Methods: This study used respondent driven sampling methods to recruit 400 MSM in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, into a cross-sectional study. Participation involved a one-time interviewer-administered questionnaire and rapid HIV screening test. Prevalence data were adjusted for respondent network size and recruitment patterns. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between HIV and selected risk factors, and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and selected risk factors. Results: After respondent driven sampling (RDS) weighted analysis, 20.2% of MSM were HIV-positive, and 69.0% had unprotected sex with at least one male partner in the last 12 months. Regression analysis showed that HIV infection was associated with unprotected receptive anal sex (AOR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.04-3.84). Having unprotected anal intercourse with male partners, a measure of HIV risk behaviors, was associated with being single (AOR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.23-0.64); very difficult access to lubricants (AOR: 11.08; 95% CI: 4.93-24.91); STI symptoms (AOR: 3.45; 95% CI: 1.42-8.40); transactional sex (AOR: 3.21; 95% CI: 1.66-6.22); and non-injection drug use (AOR: 3.10; 95% CI: 1.51-6.36). Conclusions: This study found a high HIV prevalence among MSM in Almaty, and a population of MSM engaging in multiple high-risk behavior in Almaty. Greater access to HIV education and prevention interventions is needed to limit the HIV epidemic among MSM in Almaty.
AB - Introduction: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for HIV infection. MSM in Central Asia, however, are not adequately studied to assess their risk of HIV transmission. Methods: This study used respondent driven sampling methods to recruit 400 MSM in Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, into a cross-sectional study. Participation involved a one-time interviewer-administered questionnaire and rapid HIV screening test. Prevalence data were adjusted for respondent network size and recruitment patterns. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between HIV and selected risk factors, and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and selected risk factors. Results: After respondent driven sampling (RDS) weighted analysis, 20.2% of MSM were HIV-positive, and 69.0% had unprotected sex with at least one male partner in the last 12 months. Regression analysis showed that HIV infection was associated with unprotected receptive anal sex (AOR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.04-3.84). Having unprotected anal intercourse with male partners, a measure of HIV risk behaviors, was associated with being single (AOR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.23-0.64); very difficult access to lubricants (AOR: 11.08; 95% CI: 4.93-24.91); STI symptoms (AOR: 3.45; 95% CI: 1.42-8.40); transactional sex (AOR: 3.21; 95% CI: 1.66-6.22); and non-injection drug use (AOR: 3.10; 95% CI: 1.51-6.36). Conclusions: This study found a high HIV prevalence among MSM in Almaty, and a population of MSM engaging in multiple high-risk behavior in Almaty. Greater access to HIV education and prevention interventions is needed to limit the HIV epidemic among MSM in Almaty.
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U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0043071
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0043071
M3 - Article
C2 - 22937013
AN - SCOPUS:84865304567
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 7
JO - PloS one
JF - PloS one
IS - 8
M1 - e43071
ER -