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Effects of In-country and Cross-Border Mobility on Condom Use Among Transgender Women (hijras) in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Abstract

In Bangladesh transgender women (hijras) are thought to be highly mobile that may be an impediment to condom use. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the extent of mobility of hijras, in-country and cross-border, and whether mobility affects condom use in anal intercourse. Hijras ≥15 years of age, receiving services from the Global Fund supported HIV prevention program were enrolled. A behavioral questionnaire was administered and blood was tested for antibodies to HIV and syphilis. Of 889 hijras sampled, 41.3 % never traveled, 26.4 % traveled in-country and 32.3 % crossed the border in the last year. HIV and active syphilis was at 0.8 and 1.8 % respectively. Among hijras who crossed the border condom use was less likely in last anal intercourse (AOR 0.68; 95 % CI 0.48–0.96), and consistently with new (AOR 0.59; 95 % CI 0.34–1.01) and regular clients (AOR 0.45; 95 % CI 0.27–0.76) in the last week. This study concludes that in Bangladesh hijras are highly mobile and cross-border mobility negatively affects condom use.

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Acknowledgments

This survey was funded by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), through the Grant ‘Expanding HIV/AIDS Prevention in Bangladesh’ under the terms of Grant Agreement NO. BAN-202-G13-H-00 with icddr,b. icddr,b acknowledges with gratitude the commitment of GFATM to its research efforts. Icddr,b is also thankful to the Governments of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Sweden and the UK for providing core/unrestricted support to icddr,b. In addition, we acknowledge Bandhu Social Welfare Society and Light House for their cooperation. We are also grateful to the study participants for their generous support and participation in this study, which allow us to carry out the data collection successfully.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HIV and AIDS Program, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Sarani, Mohakahli, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh

    A K. M. Masud Rana, Md. Masud Reza, Md. Shah Alam, Mahmuda Khatun, Sharful Islam Khan & Tasnim Azim

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  1. A K. M. Masud Rana
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Correspondence to A K. M. Masud Rana.

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Rana, A.K.M.M., Reza, M.M., Alam, M.S. et al. Effects of In-country and Cross-Border Mobility on Condom Use Among Transgender Women (hijras) in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study. AIDS Behav 20, 2165–2177 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-015-1275-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-015-1275-8

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