Published in:
01-08-2018 | Original Paper
Acceptability of Peer-Delivered HIV Testing and Counselling Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender Women (TW) in Myanmar
Authors:
Vanessa Veronese, Zaw Min Oo, Zaw Win Thein, Poe Poe Aung, Bridget L. Draper, Chad Hughes, Claire Ryan, Alisa Pedrana, Mark Stoové
Published in:
AIDS and Behavior
|
Issue 8/2018
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Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) are a priority population for HIV prevention in Myanmar but report sub-optimal HIV testing frequency. Previous studies have shown that peer involvement in HIV testing can normalize stigmatized sexualities and reduce barriers to testing. We explored the acceptability of peer-delivered HIV testing among 425 undiagnosed MSM and TW in Yangon and Mandalay. An overwhelming majority of participants (86%) reported being ‘comfortable/very comfortable’ with peer-delivered HIV testing. Logistic regression identified reporting sexual identity as Apone [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.8; 95% CI 1.2–11.7], recent HIV testing (aOR 3.1; 95% CI 1.4–6.5), reporting a high likelihood of HIV acquisition (aOR 3.6; 95% CI 1.7–7.6), and reporting ≥ 5 casual partners in the past 3 months (aOR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1–0.6) as associated with peer-delivered HIV testing acceptability. Given ongoing HIV vulnerability among MSM and TW in Myanmar, peer-delivered testing may offer prevention benefits by increasing testing rates and identifying undiagnosed infection earlier.