281256
Low HIV testing frequency and behavior among low-income high-risk populations, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW), in Lima, Peru
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Sky Lee, BS,
School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Eddy Segura, MD, MPH,
Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Program in Global Health, Lima, Peru
Jesse Clark, MD, MS,
Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Program in Global Health, Lima, Peru
Jordan Lake, MD, MS,
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Kelika Konda, PhD,
Program in Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, UCLA Medical Center, Lima, Peru
Thomas Coates, PhD,
Program in Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Carlos Caceres, MD, PhD,
Unit of Health, Sexuality and Human Development, School of Public Health, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
Background: The HIV epidemic in Peru is concentrated among MSM/TW. Among these high-risk populations, increased HIV testing frequency can lead to earlier treatment and potentially reduce HIV transmission. This study assessed HIV testing frequency, behavior and reasons for testing among MSM/TW in Lima, Peru. Methods: We analyzed baseline survey data from MSM/TW subjects enrolled in a community-based HIV prevention trial. Participants were recruited during 2008-2009 from 24 low-income neighborhoods in Lima, Peru. Results: Of the 718 participants, the median age was 29 (IQR 23-35) with a mean of 15.3 (SD 8.06) sexually active years. Overall, 79.6% reported ever testing for HIV and among ever testers, there was a median of only three lifetime tests (IQR 2-6). Among all participants, the mean number of tests per sexually active year was 0.53 (SD 0.83). Of all possible responses, the most common reasons reported for testing were to check one's health (23.3%), lack of condom use (19.7%), and free testing (14.0%). In multivariate analysis, ever testing was reported more frequently by sex-workers [APR 1.16, 95%CI (1.07-1.27)], participants reporting a prior sexually transmitted infection [APR 1.15, 95%CI (1.07-1.24)], and TW [APR 1.11, 95%CI (1.03-1.20)]. Conclusions: In this population, lifetime HIV testing was high, but testing frequency was well-below the Peruvian Ministry of Health's recommendation to test at least twice a year for MSM/TW. Additional research on testing intervals and motivations for testing would be beneficial and future counseling and interventions should emphasize routine testing.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Public health or related education
Learning Objectives:
Describe HIV testing behavior and frequency among low-income men who have sex with men and transwomen in Lima, Peru.
Identify areas for improvement regarding counseling and testing interventions.
Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a UCLA SAPHIR (South American Program in HIV Prevention Research) research fellow and a fourth year medical student at UCLA. Among my scientific interests are HIV prevention in vulnerable or high-risk populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
