Dataset Information

Young, Online and in the Dark: Scaling Up HIV Testing among MSM in ASEAN.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Poor HIV testing uptake by MSM may be attributable to unique challenges that are localized in Southeast Asia.

Objective

To characterize MSM who never tested for HIV, to identify correlates of never testing, and to elucidate the perceived barriers to HIV testing.

Methods

The present study used data from the Asian Internet MSM Sex Survey (AIMSS) and restricted the analysis to 4,310 MSM from the ten member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Results

Among MSM participants from ASEAN in our sample, 1290 (29.9%) reported having never been tested for HIV, 471 (10.9%) tested for HIV more than 2 years ago, and 2186 (50.7%) reported their last test date was between 6 months and two years ago, with only 363 (8.4%) of these men having been tested in the past 6 months. In multivariable logistic regression, younger MSM (age 15-22 years old [AOR: 4.60, 95% CI: 3.04-6.96]), MSM with lower education (secondary school or lower [AOR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03-1.83]), MSM who identify as bisexual or heterosexual (compared to gay-identified) (AOR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.60-2.35), and MSM who had never used a condom with male partners (AOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.32-1.97) had higher odds of never been HIV tested. Main reason for not being tested was a low risk perception of HIV exposure (n = 390, 30.2%).

Conclusion

Current HIV prevention response must not leave MSM "in the dark," but instead meet them where they are by utilizing the Internet creatively through social media and smart phones. As ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is quickly becoming a reality, so must there be an equally fast and united response to slowing down the HIV epidemics among MSM in ASEAN.

SUBMITTER: Guadamuz TE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4431680 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Young, Online and in the Dark: Scaling Up HIV Testing among MSM in ASEAN.

Guadamuz Thomas E TE Cheung Doug H DH Wei Chongyi C Koe Stuart S Lim Sin How SH

PloS one 20150514 5

<h4>Background</h4>Poor HIV testing uptake by MSM may be attributable to unique challenges that are localized in Southeast Asia.<h4>Objective</h4>To characterize MSM who never tested for HIV, to identify correlates of never testing, and to elucidate the perceived barriers to HIV testing.<h4>Methods</h4>The present study used data from the Asian Internet MSM Sex Survey (AIMSS) and restricted the analysis to 4,310 MSM from the ten member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (AS ...[more]

PMID: 25973907

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Dataset Information

Young, Online and in the Dark: Scaling Up HIV Testing among MSM in ASEAN.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Young, Online and in the Dark: Scaling Up HIV Testing among MSM in ASEAN.

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