HIV Prevalence and Factors Related to HIV Infection Among Transgender Women in Vietnam: A Respondent Driven Sampling Approach

 

Vu Thi Tuong Vi¹, Khuong Quynh Long², Le Huynh Thi Cam Hong¹, Hoang Thi Ngoc Anh², Nguyen Viet Ngoc³, Vo Van Tam³, Nguyen Ly Lai⁴, Hoang Hong Hanh², Tran Van Anh Phuong⁵, Nguyen Nguyen Nhu Trang⁵ & Do Van Dung^1,3

 

¹Vietnam HIV Addiction Technology Transfer Center - University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, 217 Hong Bang Street, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

²Hanoi University of Public Health, 1A Duc Thang Road, Duc Thang Ward, North Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

³Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

⁴Health Advancement in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

⁵Centre for Promotion of Quality of Life (LIFE Centre), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

 

Abstract

Transgender women are at higher risk of HIV infection, however, there is a lack of information about HIV infection and related factors among transgender women in Vietnam. From February 2018 to June 2018, 456 transgender women were recruited in the study using Respondent-Driven Sampling technique. Participants completed the computer-based questionnaire and were tested for HIV serostatus. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors related to HIV infection. The prevalence of HIV infection was 77 (16.5%), of which 19 (24.7%) were not aware of their HIV-positive status prior to the study. Factors associated with HIV infection included popper use (aOR 2.01, p = 0.044) and having regular male partner(s) (aOR 0.42, p = 0.006). More efforts are needed to reduce the high prevalence of HIV infection, such as expanding the reach of HIV screening and prevention programs to the transgender women population, particularly for substance users.

 

Full-text link: HIV Prevalence and Factors Related to HIV Infection Among Transgender Women in Vietnam: A Respondent Driven Sampling Approach

 

Nguồn: Trung tâm Nghiên cứu Khoa học Sức khỏe (CPHS), Trường Đại học Y tế công cộng