Epidemiology of First forced Sex and Risk Factors of HIV/AIDS among Men who have Sex with Men in South India
METHODS: The present study has been used data from the cross sectional survey known as Integrated Behavioral and Biological Assessment during 2009-10. The survey was conducted in the selected districts of states, Andhra Pradesh (Salem, Madurai, Dharmapuri, and Chennai), Tamil Nadu (Hyderabad, Guntur, and East Godavari) and Maharashtra (Pune and Mumbai/Thane). The sample size of MSM was 3875. Time location clustering sampling methods has been used to recruit the MSM. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used.
RESULTS: Those MSM who have reported of their first forced sex with males, are found more likely to be HIV positive (34.69% vs. 29.06% & OR=1. 297, p<0.05) as compared to those MSM who did not have first forced sex with male. In Tamil Nadu, prevalence of first forced sex with male among MSM highest in Salem (57.1%) followed by Madurai (56.4%), Dharmapuri (51.2%), and Chennai (41.2%). In Pune (19%) and Mumbai districts of Maharashtra (14.2%), MSM have reported that they had first forced sex with male. In Andhra Pradesh, 23.5 % MSM have had first forced sex with male in Hyderabad followed by Guntur (16.8%), East Godavari (8.8%) and Vizag (4.0%).
CONCLUSIONS: The present study has found that first forced sexual intercourse with a male is a significant risk factor for the HIV infection among MSM in South India. Therefore, there is an urgent need to control the prevalence of first forced sex and transmission of HIV infection.