HIV, Hepatitis C, and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections among Male Sex Workers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

There is little data on the burden of HIV and other infections that affect male sex workers (MSW) in Vietnam. We conducted behavioral and biological sexual health surveys with 300 MSW in Ho Chi Minh City. Generalized estimating equation models were built to assess factors associated with HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). 

Of 300 MSW, 19 (6.3 %) were diagnosed seropositive for HIV, 11 (3.7 %) had hepatitis C, and 26 (8.7 %) had at least one prevalent STI. In a multivariable model, opiate use was significantly associated with HIV infection and hepatitis C. Alcohol dependency was associated with increased odds of hepatitis C and decreased odds of other STI. 

These findings suggest that MSW in Vietnam would benefit from regular HIV and STI testing, as well as linkage to care and substance use rehabilitation services.

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By:  Colby DJ1,2, Oldenburg CE3,4, Nguyen T5, Closson EF4, Biello KB3,4, Mayer KH4,6,7, Mimiaga MJ3,4,8.

• 1SEARCH, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, 104 Rajdamri Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. doctordonn@gmail.com.
• 2Center for Applied Research on Men and Health, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. doctordonn@gmail.com.
• 3Department of Epidemiology, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
• 4The Fenway Institute, Fenway Community Health, Boston, MA, USA.
• 5Harvard Medical School AIDS Initiative in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
• 6Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
• 7Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
• 8Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. 

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