title: HIV incidence, risk factors, and motivation for biomedical intervention among gay, bisexual men, and transgender persons in Northern Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender (TG) persons is high and increasing in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe demographic, socioeconomic, sexual behavior and interest in future HIV prevention trials among gay and bisexual MSM and TG presenting for HIV testing (VCT) and pre-screening for the iPrEx pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis trail.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2008-09, MSM/TG participants attending VCT were interviewed and tested for HIV and STI. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were done to assess associations with HIV infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 551 MSM clients (56.1% gay, 25.4% TG, and 18.5% bisexual (BS)) were enrolled. The mean age was 23.9 years. HIV prevalence among MSM overall was 12.9% (71/551); 16.5% among gay men, 9.3% among TG, and 6.9% among BS. Consistent use of condom was low, 33.3% in insertive anal sex and 31.9% in receptive anal sex. Interest in participation was high, 86.3% for PrEP, 69.7% for HIV vaccine trials, but 29.9% for circumcision. HIV was independently associated with being gay identified, aOR 2.8, p = 0.037 and with being aged 25-29, aOR 2.7, p = 0.027. Among repeat testers, HIV incidence was 8.2/100 PY, 95% CI, 3.7/100PY to 18.3/100PY.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV risks and rates varied by self-reported sexual orientation and gender identity. HIV was associated with sexual practices, age, and being gay-identified. These are populations are in need of novel prevention strategies and willing to participate in prevention research.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Suwat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chariyalertsak
authors.forename: Natthapol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kosachunhanan
authors.forename: Pongpun
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saokhieo
authors.forename: Radchanok
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Songsupa
authors.forename: Antika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wongthanee
authors.forename: Chonlisa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chariyalertsak
authors.forename: Surasing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Visarutratana
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beyrer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002944:Circumcision, Male; D017280:Condoms; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000150:complications*; D055815:Young Adult