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HIV, STD prevalence high among MSM, MSMW in India
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Results of a study in India demonstrated high rates of HIV and STDs among men who have sex with men as well as men who have sex with men and women, according to results presented at the 16th Annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, held here.
A study by Indian researchers examined HIV and STD rates among these populations in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located in the southern part of the country. The researchers said in India, most HIV/AIDS research and prevention efforts are focused on heterosexual populations. Data on other risk groups have been limited. In India, MSM and MSMW are particularly difficult to study due to stigma surrounding homosexuality, social pressure and laws prohibiting anal intercourse.
The researchers recruited 721 Indian men aged 18 years and older in Tamil Nadu who had had anal or oral intercourse with at least one man in the prior year. Behavioral data and blood samples were collected. All blood samples were tested for HIV, hepatitis B, herpes and syphilis.
The median age was 28 years. Thirty-four percent of the men were married. Sixty percent self-identified as bisexual, 40% as homosexual. The median number of male partners in the past year was 15. All participants reported unprotected anal intercourse with at least one partner in the prior year; 24% reported unprotected anal intercourse with all partners in the prior year.
The overall prevalence of HIV was 9%. Two percent of the men tested positive for hepatitis B, 26% for herpes and 8% for syphilis. These rates were all higher among married men. Fourteen percent of the married men in the study tested positive for HIV, 3% for hepatitis B, 32% for herpes and 11% for syphilis.
The researchers said the high prevalence of STDs and the fact that unprotected anal intercourse was common suggest a “perfect storm” for an increase in the HIV epidemic among MSM and MSMW in India. “Preventive measures are urgently needed for these marginalized populations,” the researchers wrote. – by Jay Lewis
For more information:
- Solomon SS. #171. Presented at: the 16th Annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections; Feb. 8-11, 2009; Montreal.