The epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus infection, sexually transmitted infections, and associated risk behaviors among men who have sex with men in the Mekong Subregion and China: implications for policy and programming.
BACKGROUND
Little systematic knowledge is available regarding risk behaviors and the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) in populations of men having sex with men (MSM) in the Mekong Subregion and China.


METHODS
Data on HIV/STI prevalence and risk behavior of MSM in the region were collected through Internet searches, were summarized and assessed for their policy and programming implications.


RESULTS
Twenty-four articles, reports and abstracts of research studies were identified for review. High levels of HIV, STI and associated risk behavior were reported among MSM throughout the region. The HIV prevalence among MSM in urban areas varied between 5.5% and 28.3% in Thailand and Cambodia and between 0.0% and 9.4% in Vietnam and China. No HIV/STI prevalence data were available for Lao PDR and Myanmar.


CONCLUSIONS
Levels of HIV/STI prevalence and risk behavior among MSM in the Mekong Subregion and China are high. Continued monitoring and surveillance and targeted preventive interventions are necessary to stop the spread of HIV in this vulnerable population.
de Lind van Wijngaarden
Jan W
JW
UNESCO, Bangkok, Thailand.
Brown
Tim
T
Girault
Philippe
P
Sarkar
Swarup
S
van Griensven
Frits
F
D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006291:Health Policy; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D002052:Myanmar / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology