Abstract
This study describes HIV and syphilis bio-behavioral survey conducted among 200 men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited via respondent-driven sampling (RDS) between January 4 and February 1, 2012 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Participants were administered a structured questionnaire and data were analyzed with RDS-network program in STATA. Of 196 participants who agreed to be tested for HIV and syphilis, 21 (10.7 %; weighted 7.5; 95 % CI: 4.9, 11.4) and 8 (4.1 %; weighted 3.4; 95 % CI: 1.7, 6.7) were positive for HIV and syphilis, respectively. Exposure to HIV prevention programs in the last 12 months was reported by 51.8 % (weighted 33.6; 95 % CI: 27.6, 40.1) of participants. This study found high HIV prevalence and limited uptake of HIV prevention services among MSM in Mongolia. Given the concentrated HIV epidemic among MSM in Mongolia, HIV prevention, treatment and care services should focus on MSM as the population group most affected by HIV.
Resumen
Este estudio reporta una encuesta de VIH y sífilis conducido en 200 hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) los cuales fueron enrolados a través un muestreo guiado por los participantes entre enero 4 y febrero 1 del 2012 en Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Los participantes recibieron un cuestionario estructurado y la información se analizo con el programa Stata. De los 196 participantes quienes estuvieron de acuerdo en ser testeados para el VIH y sífilis, 21 (10.7 %; tasa ajustada 7.5; 95 % IC: 4.9, 11.4) and 8 (4.1 %; tasa ajustada 3.4; 95 % IC: 1.7, 6.7) fueron positivos para VIH y sífilis, respectivamente. Exposición a los programas de prevención del VIH en los últimos 12 meses fue reportado por 51.8 % (tasa ajustada 33.6; 95 % IC: 27.6, 40.1) de los participantes. Este estudio ha documentado que HSH tienen una alta prevalencia de VIH y limitado servicios de prevención para VIH. Dada la concentrada epidemia del VIH en HSH en Mongolia, la prevención y tratamiento del VIH así como servicios de asistenciales deberían focalizarse en HSH debido a que este grupo es la más afectada por la epidemia del VIH.
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Iliza Azyei and Bulbul Aumakhan contributed equally to the manuscript.
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Azyei, I., Aumakhan, B., Jantsansengee, B. et al. Evolving Understanding of the Epidemiology of HIV and Prevention Needs among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. AIDS Behav 18, 2009–2019 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0780-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0780-5