HIV and STIs Among MSM in Tajikistan: Laboratory-Confirmed Diagnoses and Self-Reported Testing Behaviors.
Little is known about the prevalence and associations of HIV/STI diagnoses and testing behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Tajikistan. A non-governmental organization conducted a cross-sectional study of MSM (n = 502) assessing laboratory-confirmed HIV/STI diagnoses, HIV/STI testing behavior in the past 6 months, sociodemographics, HIV/STI risk factors, and victimization/discrimination. Overall, 2.6 % were diagnosed with HIV, 2.2 % with syphilis, 17.6 % with chlamydia, and 56.0 % with herpes. Recent testing rates were low for HIV (35.9 %) and STIs (14.1 %). Compared to MSM who completed university, MSM with a high school education or less had lower odds of recent HIV and STI testing; however, victimization and healthcare discrimination were associated with greater odds of recent STI testing. Given the low HIV prevalence, there is a window of opportunity to extinguish the epidemic before it worsens. Non-governmental organizations are indispensable for expanding testing strategies because they can efficiently reach MSM in Tajikistan.
Equal Opportunities, 38 a. A. Savdo Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. kgulov.eotj@gmail.com.
Kiromiddin
K
Gulov
Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.|Center for LGBT Health Research, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
Robert W S
RW
Coulter
Center for LGBT Health Research, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.|Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
Derrick D
DD
Matthews
Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.|Center for LGBT Health Research, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
Mudia
M
Uzzi
Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.|Center for LGBT Health Research, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
Ron
R
Stall
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D019548:Crime Victims; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004522:Educational Status; D058872:Epidemics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D063508:Social Discrimination; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013620:Tajikistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014754:Violence; D055815:Young Adult
Diagnoses; HIV and STIs; Men who have sex with men; Tajikistan; Testing behaviors