title: Sexually transmitted infections among transgender people and men who have sex with men in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
abstract: Despite high sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence in the Pacific, there are limited data on STIs and risk among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people (TG). In 2011, an Integrated Bio-Behavioural Survey recruited self-identified MSM and TG in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Descriptive findings were stratified by sexuality. Among 28 (55%) MSM and 23 (45%) TG, recent anal sex with male partners was more common among MSM (94% vs 71%; P < 0.1), including with casual (47% vs 35%), regular (59% vs 29%) and paying partners (28% vs 12%). MSM more commonly reported lifetime (P < 0.01) and recent sex with female partners (P < 0.01). Reported condom use with any partner type was low. More MSM (35%) than TG (24%) were diagnosed with an STI; previous treatment-seeking behaviour when symptomatic was lower among TG (P < 0.1). Tailored strategies acknowledging differences between MSM and TG are required to reduce STI vulnerability in Vanuatu.
authors.affiliation: Center for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia .
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Veronese
authors.affiliation: Center for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia .
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Gemert
authors.affiliation: Wan Smolbag Theatre, Port Vila, Vanuatu .
authors.forename: Siula
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bulu
authors.affiliation: Center for International Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia .
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kwarteng
authors.affiliation: Center for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia .
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bergeri
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute, University of South Wales, Sydney, Australia .
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Badman
authors.affiliation: Center for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia .
authors.forename: Alyce
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vella
authors.affiliation: Center for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia . ; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia .
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoové
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009514:Vanuatu / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult