title: Descriptive Epidemiology of Factors Associated with HIV Infections Among Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men in South India.
abstract: Men and transgender women who have sex with men (MTWSM) continue to be an at-risk population for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in India. Identification of risk factors and determinants of HIV infection is urgently needed to inform prevention and intervention programming.
  
  
  
  Data were collected from cross-sectional biological and behavioral surveys from four districts in Karnataka, India. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to examine factors related to HIV infection. Sociodemographic, sexual history, sex work history, condom practices, and substance use covariates were included in regression models.
  
  
  
  A total of 456 participants were included; HIV prevalence was 12.4%, with the highest prevalence (26%) among MTWSM from Bellary District. In bivariate analyses, district (P = 0.002), lack of a current regular female partner (P = 0.022), and reported consumption of an alcoholic drink in the last month (P = 0.004) were associated with HIV infection. In multivariable models, only alcohol use remained statistically significant (adjusted odds ratios: 2.6, 95% confidence intervals: 1.2-5.8; P = 0.02).
  
  
  
  The prevalence of HIV continues to be high among MTWSM, with the highest prevalence found in Bellary district.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Community Health Sciences, Centre for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada .
authors.forename: Souradet Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Community Health Sciences, Centre for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada .
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lorway
authors.affiliation: 2 Karnataka Health Promotion Trust , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: Parinita
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhattacharjee
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Community Health Sciences, Centre for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada .
authors.forename: Sushena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reza-Paul
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Community Health Sciences, Centre for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada .
authors.forename: Elsabé
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: du Plessis
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .|4 Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi , Nairobi, Kenya .
authors.forename: Lyle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McKinnon
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Community Health Sciences, Centre for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada .
authors.forename: Laura H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: 2 Karnataka Health Promotion Trust , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: Shajy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Isac
authors.affiliation: 2 Karnataka Health Promotion Trust , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: Banadakoppa M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.affiliation: 2 Karnataka Health Promotion Trust , Bangalore, India .|5 St. John's Research Institute , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: Reynold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Washington
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Community Health Sciences, Centre for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada .|6 Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada .
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moses
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Community Health Sciences, Centre for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada .
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Blanchard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011477:Sex Work; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D063106:Transgender Persons; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV risk; India; alcohol use; men who have sex with men.