HIV and syphilis prevalence among transgender women and men who have sex with men, Silom Community Clinic, Bangkok, Thailand, 2017–2019. Issue 10 (3rd October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pattanasin, Sarika; Griensven, Frits van; Mock, Philip A.; Sukwicha, Wichuda; Kongpechsatit, Oranuch; Krasan, Chidanan; O'Connor, Siobhan; Hickey, Andrew C.; Ungsedhapand, Chaiwat; Woodring, Joseph V.; Connor, Suzi; Chitwarakorn, Anupong; Dunne, Eileen F.
• Is Part Of: AIDS care. Volume 34:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: 1305
• Page End: 1313
• Publication Date: 2022-10-03
• Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; 362.1969792
• DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1967854
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0121

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We assessed HIV and syphilis infection among MSM and TGW attending Silom Community Clinic from 2017 to 2019. Walk-in and referral clients completed a registration application including a question on gender identity. We compared the prevalence of HIV, syphilis, and HIV and syphilis coinfection among TGW and MSM. In a total of 1050 clients, 276 (26.3%) were TGW and 774 (74.7%) were MSM. Among TGW clients, HIV prevalence was 29.8%, syphilis prevalence was 38.4%, and coinfection prevalence was 18.5%. Comparing prevalence among TGW to MSM, the adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) for HIV was 1.8 (95% CI:1.4–2.3), for syphilis was 1.2 (95% CI:1.0–1.4), and for HIV and syphilis coinfection was 2.1 (95% CI:1.4–2.9). The prevalence of syphilis was higher than HIV among TGW, with a PR of 1.3 (95% CI:1.1–1.6), and among MSM, with a PR of 1.4 (95% CI:1.2–1.7). TGW age 15–21 years had an HIV prevalence of 16.9% and syphilis prevalence of 30.8%. After adjusting for age, referral, and sexual behaviors, TGW remain significantly associated with HIV and syphilis prevalence. There is a substantial burden of HIV and HIV/syphilis co-infection among TGW. HIV/STI prevention are needed for TGW, including linkage to HIV care.