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Newman PA, Tepjan S, Fongkaew K, Akkakanjanasupar P, de Lind van Wijngaarden JW, Chonwanarat N. Multilevel Factors Impacting PrEP Engagement Among Young Gay Men and Young Transgender Women in Thailand: A Qualitative Analysis. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2023; 22:23259582231188221. [PMID: 37461326 DOI: 10.1177/23259582231188221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Half of new HIV infections in Thailand are among young people, the majority of whom are young gay and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) and young transgender women (YTGW). Amid low pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) coverage, we explored practice-based factors that impact PrEP engagement among YMSM and YTGW. In 2018, we conducted 4 focus group discussions with 20 YMSM and 5 YTGW, and 22 in-depth interviews (5 in 2022) with healthcare providers (HCPs), community-based organization (CBO)/nongovernmental organization (NGO) staff, and peer educators. The inclusion of PrEP in universal healthcare coverage, including YMSM and YTGW, is a substantial facilitator of PrEP use; however, systemic barriers at microsocial (lack of communication about PrEP from HCPs, teachers, parents), mesosocial (healthcare-service fragmentation, lack of PrEP-competent HCPs), and macrosocial levels (annual quotas on free HIV-testing, HIV- and sexual-stigma) constrain and disincentivize adolescents' engagement with PrEP. National scale-up of youth-friendly and LGBT-affirmative CBO/NGO clinics, HCP training, and tailored programs to support adolescents' adherence may promote PrEP engagement among YMSM and YTGW in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Newman
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Kangwan Fongkaew
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand
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Dear N, Francisco L, Pitisutthithum P, Nitayaphan S, Schuetz A, Wansom T, O'Connell RJ, Crowell TA, Vasan S. Unique HIV Risk Factors and Prevention Needs for Transgender Women and Cisgender Men Who Have Sex with Men in Bangkok, Thailand. Transgend Health 2022. [PMID: 37529407 PMCID: PMC10389251 DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2021.0192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transgender women (TGW) and cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM) are often grouped together as key populations. We evaluated behavioral and other characteristics that may distinguish TGW from cis-MSM in Bangkok, Thailand. Methods We enrolled into an 18-month cohort cis-MSM and TGW 18-35 years of age without HIV, who reported anal intercourse plus condomless anal intercourse, multiple partners, transactional sex, and/or sexually transmitted infection. Robust multivariable Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and confidence intervals (95% CIs) for associations with being a TGW. Among TGW, logistic regression with generalized estimating equations was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs for associations with taking hormones and having undergone gender affirmation surgery (GAS). Results From 2017 to 2019, 660 cis-MSM and 348 TGW were enrolled. Compared to cis-MSM, TGW were more likely to be attracted to mostly/only men (aPR: 3.79, 95% CI: 1.57-9.13), have a higher monthly income (aPR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.04-1.50), have lived in their current residence for <1 year (aPR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.46), have engaged in sex work (aPR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.23-1.77), and be less likely to have ever undergone HIV testing (aPR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.70-0.98). Among TGW, 149 (42.8%) were taking hormones and 33 (9.5%) had undergone GAS. GAS was more common among TGW who ever used methamphetamines (aOR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.00-2.41) and those >23 years (18-20-year olds aOR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05-0.55; 21-23-year olds aOR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.20-0.65). Conclusions TGW and cis-MSM are unique populations; tailored, gender-affirming, differentiated models of HIV prevention and care are necessary to address vulnerabilities specific to each key population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Dear
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Leilani Francisco
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Punnee Pitisutthithum
- Vaccine Trial Centre, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sorachai Nitayaphan
- Royal Thai Army Component, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Alexandra Schuetz
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tanyaporn Wansom
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert J. O'Connell
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Trevor A. Crowell
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sandhya Vasan
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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