title: Migrant Workers in Kazakhstan: Gender Differences in HIV Knowledge and Sexual Risk Behaviors.
abstract: This study compares sexual risk behaviors among male and female migrant market vendors in Almaty, Kazakhstan. From the Barakholka Market, 209 male and 213 female market vendors were randomly recruited. Self-reported data were collected through standardized face-to-face interviews. Dry blood spot was used as specimen for syphilis testing. Propensity score stratification was used to estimate adjusted prevalence or rate ratios by gender. Compared to male migrant workers, females had lower HIV knowledge and were less likely to have multiple sexual partners. There was no evidence of a gender difference for prevalence of syphilis, condom use with unsteady partners, and safe sex communication between couples. Associations between mobility patterns and engagement in multiple sexual partnerships were stronger among women than men. Efforts should be made to mitigate the gender differential in HIV knowledge among migrants, especially women. Such efforts need to be implemented in both home and host countries.
authors.affiliation: Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA, baurzhan.zhussupov@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Baurzhan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhussupov
authors.forename: Louise-Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: McNutt
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Assel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terlikbayeva
authors.forename: Nabila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: El-Bassel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007623:Kazakhstan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D057216:Propensity Score; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data