Socio-sexual behaviour of hijras of Lahore.
OBJECTIVE
To assess risk behaviours including number and type of sex partners, condom use, knowledge of STIs and HIV/AIDS among hijras (eunuch) of Lahore.


METHODS
Two hundred hijras were recruited through Respondent Driven Sampling and interviewed by a team of experienced interviewers.


RESULTS
The mean age of the respondents was 29.2 +/- 6.3 years (Range 18-55). More than two third (68.5%) were illiterate; 23% were married. Among married, 89% were married to women and had 1 to 7 children. Sixty percent had taken some hard drug (Cocaine, Heroin, Morphine and Amphetamine) during the last 12 months and 3% had injected drugs. Eight percent had sex with a woman during the last year. During the last one week, 82% respondents had 1-21 new clients and 69.5% never used condom; 21.5% had oral sex with new clients. During the same period, 72% respondents had 1-12 regular clients and 71.5% of them never used condom while 7% respondents had 1-5 non-paying partners. During the last one month, five hijras had paid women to have vaginal sex. Nineteen hijras paid another man to have sex with them. Only 27.1% were not aware of any symptom of sexually transmitted Infections. Majority of the hijras (81.5%) were familiar with HIV/AIDS. However knowledge about its mode of transmission was faulty.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to low level of accurate knowledge regarding STI/HIV and pernicious risk behaviours, hijras may become a potent source of HIV transmission, if necessary remedial measures are not taken.
Rehan
Naghma
N
Family Planning Association of Pakistan, Lahore.
Chaudhary
Iffat
I
Shah
Syed Kamal
SK
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005058:Eunuchism / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D012919:Social Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D013287:Illicit Drugs