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Reaching Men Who Have Sex with Men in Myanmar: Population Characteristics, Risk and Preventive Behavior, Exposure to Health Programs

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Abstract

To estimate risk behavior and HIV program reach among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Myanmar, we conducted cross-sectional surveys in four cities (Yangon, Mandalay, Pathein, Monywa) using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Prevention response indicators across the cities ranged from 56 to 70 % testing for HIV and receiving results last year, 89–100 % identifying ways of preventing transmission, 50–95 % rejecting misconceptions about HIV, and 82–94 % using a condom at last anal sex. MSM in smaller cities had similar or higher use of programs compared those in larger cities. MSM classified as Ah Chawk Ma (broadly feminine gender presentation) reported having more sex partners, less consistent condom use, and more frequent history of sexually transmitted infections compared to those described as Tha Ngwe (broadly masculine gender presentation). Our behavioral survey data help advocate for appropriate services and form a baseline to gauge future impact of the HIV response for this marginalized population.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partly supported by funding from USAID and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The authors wish to thank Mr. Habib Rahman, the program manager for targeted out-reach program, Population Services International, for his technical support. The authors are also grateful to the peer interviewers and the participants without whom the study would not have happened.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Population Services International Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar

    Tin Aung, Ehthi Paw & John Hetherington

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Willi McFarland

  3. HIV Epidemiology Section, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA, 94102-6033, USA

    Willi McFarland

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  1. Tin Aung
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  2. Willi McFarland
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  3. Ehthi Paw
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  4. John Hetherington
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Correspondence to Willi McFarland.

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Aung, T., McFarland, W., Paw, E. et al. Reaching Men Who Have Sex with Men in Myanmar: Population Characteristics, Risk and Preventive Behavior, Exposure to Health Programs. AIDS Behav 17, 1386–1394 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0232-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0232-z

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