title: Prevalence of HIV/STIs and associated factors among men who have sex with men in An Giang, Vietnam.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) has increased substantially in Vietnam. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HIV, syphilis, urethral gonorrhoea, and urethral chlamydia, and determined correlates of HIV infection among MSM in An Giang, Vietnam.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 381 MSM were recruited in a community-based cross-sectional survey between August and December 2009. Face-to-face interviews were conducted for collecting data on sociodemographics, behaviors, and access to HIV prevention programs. Serological tests for HIV and syphilis and polymerase chain reaction for gonorrhoea/chlamydia were performed. Multivariate regression analyses were used to investigate the correlates of HIV infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea/chlamydia were 6.3%, 1.3%, 1.8%, 3.2%, and 4.7%, respectively. HIV prevalence among 63 injecting MSM was significantly higher than that of 318 noninjectors (20.6% vs. 3.5%, P < 0.001). Approximately 40.4% identified as heterosexual and 42.8% had ever had sex with females. The rate of unprotected anal intercourse with another male in the last month was substantially high (75.3%). Injecting drugs (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 2.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-7.42), being transgender (aPR = 4.27, 95% CI, 1.17-15.57), and unprotected sex with a female sex worker (aPR = 4.88, 95% CI: 1.91-12.50) were significantly associated with HIV infection. The infection risk increased with age to a peak of 25 years and then decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although prevalence levels are lower in An Giang, Vietnam than in some other comparable locations, HIV/sexually transmitted infections prevention, and sexual health promotion targeting MSM are highly important in this location.
authors.affiliation: Pasteur Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. pdquang@kirby.unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Quang Duy
authors.initials: QD
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.forename: Thuong Vu
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Cuong Quoc
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Hoang
authors.forename: Van
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Nghia Van
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Khuu
authors.forename: Huong Thu Thi
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.forename: Anh Hoang
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.forename: Huu Ngoc
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: David Peter
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult