title: Correlates of HIV Testing Among Transgender Women in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
abstract: HIV prevalence among transgender women (TW) in Ho Chi Minh City is estimated at 18 %. However, no evidence-based programs or surveillance data exist in Vietnam specific to HIV testing uptake. We examined prevalence and correlates of past-year HIV testing among TW (n = 204) recruited in 2015 via snowball sampling. 59.3 % reported HIV testing in the previous year. In adjusted models, factors positively associated with HIV testing included consistent condom use during sex work with male clients; STI testing in past year; sex with casual partners in the past month; and experiences of police harassment. Factors negatively associated with recent HIV testing included daily/weekly alcohol use and post-traumatic stress symptoms. This study found significant associations between greater safety in sexual behaviors and higher rates of HIV testing. Targeted and specific services are needed for TW in Vietnam in order to address sexual risk behaviors and provide appropriate access to regular HIV testing.
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Research on Men and Health, 51-53 Vo Van Tan St. District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Research on Men and Health, 51-53 Vo Van Tan St. District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. doctordonn@gmail.com.|SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. doctordonn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Donn J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Colby
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Research on Men and Health, 51-53 Vo Van Tan St. District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Toan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Trang
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Research on Men and Health, 51-53 Vo Van Tan St. District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Bao Quoc
authors.initials: BQ
authors.lastname: Le
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Research on Men and Health, 51-53 Vo Van Tan St. District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Thien Duc
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Dinh
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Research on Men and Health, 51-53 Vo Van Tan St. District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Quan Hoang
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Research on Men and Health, 51-53 Vo Van Tan St. District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Huyen Thi
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Hoang
authors.affiliation: Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. mrf9@pitt.edu.|Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. mrf9@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: M Reuel
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.affiliation: Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. rstall@pitt.edu.|Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. rstall@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stall
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 / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D012306:Risk; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D063106:Transgender Persons; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV testing; Police harassment; Sex work; Transgender women; Vietnam