HIV type 1 molecular epidemiology among high-risk clients attending the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand.
Several studies have reported an increasing number of non-CRF01_AE infections in high-risk groups in Thailand suggesting a more complex HIV-1 epidemic. This study assessed the complexity of the HIV epidemic among high-risk clients tested for HIV-1 at the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic (TRCAC) between July 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007. HIV-1 genotypes were determined from plasma of infected subjects (n = 401) by the multiregion hybridization assay (MHAbce, v.2). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors associated with HIV prevalence and non-CRF01_AE infection. The estimated overall HIV prevalence was 14.1%: 25.3% among men who have sex with men (MSM), 18.4% among heterosexual women, and 9.6% among heterosexual men. Among the risk factors found to be associated with HIV prevalence were age (25-29 years), risk behavior (MSM), marital status (not single), education (less than high school), and inconsistent condom use. Overall, non-CRF01_AE strains accounted for 18.9% of the infections: 25.3% among MSM and 14.8% and 20.4% among heterosexual women and men, respectively. Our results indicate a concentrated and genetically complex HIV epidemic among Thai MSM. These findings advocate for targeted intervention and prevention measures among high-risk populations in Thailand.
Arroyo
Miguel A
MA
Department of Retrovirology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand.
Phanuphak
Nittaya
N
Krasaesub
Somporn
S
Sirivichayakul
Sunee
S
Assawadarachai
Vatcharain
V
Poltavee
Kultida
K
Pankam
Tippawan
T
Ananworanich
Jintanat
J
Paris
Robert
R
Tovanabutra
Sodsai
S
Kijak
Gustavo H
GH
McCutchan
Francine E
FE
Phanuphak
Praphan
P
Kim
Jerome H
JH
de Souza
Mark
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult