Condom use and HIV testing and counselling among men who have sex with men in Yangon South district, Myanmar

Abstract

Consistent condom use and HIV testing and counselling are effective biomedical interventions of combination HIV prevention approach for HIV transmission. This study aimed to identify factors associated with condom use and HIV testing and counselling among MSM in Yangon South District, Myanmar, using the third phase of PRECEDE-PROCEED framework. A cross-sectional method with respondent driven sampling was used to collect data. The respondents were 217 MSM attended face-to-face interviews with structured questionnaires. Data was analysed using descriptive analysis, Chi square test and multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with condom use and HIV testing and counselling. The results revealed that only 40.1% of respondents used condom consistently in last six months and 72.4% of respondents had HIV testing and counselling in last 12 months. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, age ? 35 years (OR: 5.96 95% CI: 2.34-13.87), high social support (OR: 6.02 95% CI: 1.22- 29.73), moderate peer influence (OR: 0.24 95% CI: 0.08-0.71) and accessibility of HIV testing and counselling (OR: 11.04 95% CI: 2.14-57.02) were significantly associated with consistent condom use in last six months. And Apwint (open, receptive) (OR: 30.51 95% CI: 7.33-127.01), college or university education (OR: 8.98 95% CI: 1.31-61.41), high accessibility of condom (OR: 0.05 95% CI: 0.01- 0.41) and high accessibility of HIV testing and counselling (OR: 28.21 95% CI: 2.34- 4.19-189.92) were significantly associated with HIV testing and counselling in last 12 months. The finding suggested that implementation of behavioural change interventions for MSM to improve their attitude and skills, belief and confidence on consistent condom use. To scale up condom promotion programs and distribution of condom and lubricants in MSM friendly places is also required. Community based HIV testing services should be strengthened with mobile clinics and outreach activities with hotspot mapping.