HIV prevalence and associated factors among men who have sex with men in Central Mekong Delta of Vietnam, 2019

Abstract

MSM are the population of the highest HIV prevalence in southern Vietnam and its central Mekong delta area (CMDA). This
study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV and describe associated factors among MSM through HIV sentinel surveillance (HSS) in CMDA. An Giang and Can Tho provinces of the CMDA were included in the 2019 HSS, with respectively 300 and 200 MSM ≥16 years were recruited for the cross-sectional HSS survey. Results revealed an HIV prevalence of
16.2% (95%CI: 13.1%-19.7%). Multivariate analysis showed four factors being associated with increased HIV prevalence, including MSM in Can Tho compared to those in An Giang (OR=2.16; 95%CI: 1.20-3.87), MSM who knew HIV testing venues (OR=3.22; 95%CI: 1.16-8.97), MSM who tested for HIV but did not know the results (OR=6.42; 95%CI: 1.59-26.01), and MSM who were aware of their partners’ HIV positivity (OR=11.85; 95%CI: 2.41-58.28). Associated factors found in the study should be taken into consideration when planning interventions to prevent HIV infection among MSM in the Mekong Delta area.