Vi Vu Thi Tuong Vi
V.T.T. Vi1, K.H. Long2, D.V. Dung1, V.V. Tam3, N.N.N Trang4. 1Vietnam HIV Addiction Technology Transfer Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 2Hanoi University of Public Health, Vietnam; 3Faculty of Public Health, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam; 4LIFE Centre Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Background: Transgender women are at higher risk of HIV than the general population. However, there is a lack of information about HIV infection among transgender women in Vietnam. This study was conducted to explore the HIV prevalence and identify risk factors associated with HIV infection among transgender women in Vietnam.
Methods: From February 2018 to June 2018, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 456 transgender women in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The Respondent-Driven Sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. Transgender women who participated in this study completed a computer-based questionnaire and were screened for HIV using the rapid test. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the factors related to HIV infection. All analysis was adjusted by RDS weights.
Results: The prevalence of HIV infection was 16.5%, of which 19 (24.7%) were not aware of their HIV-positive status before participating in the study. The factors associated with HIV infection included popper use (aOR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.02 - 3.98, p = 0.044) and having regular male partner(s) (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.23 - 0.78, p = 0.006).
Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of HIV infection among transgender women in Vietnam. To address the HIV epidemic among Vietnamese transgender women, a combination of effective prevention strategies, such as upgrading screening facilities in the community, focusing on the transgender women using substances, should be strengthened.