HIV Prevalence and Risks Associated with HIV Infection among Transgender Individuals in Cambodia.

INTRODUCTION: Recognizing transgender individuals have a high risk of HIV acquisition, and to inform policies and programming, we conducted an HIV prevalence and risk behaviors survey among transgender individuals in Cambodia. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey using a respondent driven sampling method with self-administered audio-computer assisted interviews. HIV testing was performed prior to the questionnaire with results available immediately after. Eligible participants were ≥18 years, identified as male at birth and self-identified/expressed as a different gender, and reported having sex with at least one male partner in past year. From six major urban centers of Cambodia, 891 transgender individuals were recruited. RESULTS: The majority of the 891 participants self-identified as third gender or female (94.5%), were young (median age 23, IQR [20-27]), had secondary education or higher (80.5%), not married (89.7%), and employed (90.2%). The majority had first sex before 18 years (66.8%), with a male (79.9%), 37.9% having been paid or paying for this first sex. The rate of HIV positivity among participants was found to be 4.15%. Consistent condom use with male and female partners was low with all partner types, but particularly low with male partners when paying for sex (20.3%). The majority of participants reported having experienced discrimination in their lifetime (54.8%) and 30.3% had been assaulted. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (adjusted OR = 14.73 [4.20, 51.67] for age 35-44 and adjusted OR = 7.63 [2.55, 22.81] for age 30-34), only having a primary school education or no schooling at all (adjusted OR = 2.62 [1.18, 5.80], being a resident of Siem Reap (adjusted OR = 7.44 [2.37, 23.29], receiving payment at first sex (adjusted OR = 2.26 [1.00, 5.11], having sex during/after using drugs (adjusted OR = 2.90 [1.09, 7.73]), inconsistent condom use during last anal sex (adjusted OR = 3.84 [1.58, 9.33]), and reporting low self-esteem (adjusted OR = 3.25 [1.35, 7.85]) were independently associated with HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms transgender individuals as one of the highest-risk groups for HIV infection in Cambodia. It suggests the need for programmatic strategies that mitigate identified associated risks and facilitate access to HIV care for this population.

Qualitative research and implementation science: Informing the acceptability and implementation of a trial of a conditional cash transfer intervention designed to reduce drug use and HIV risk.

HIV risk remains high among Cambodian female entertainment and sex workers, driven by amphetamine-type substance use and sexual risk. Conditional cash transfer is an evidence-based approach to reduce stimulant use and optimize HIV/AIDS prevention, but questions remain regarding implementation in resource-limited settings. We conducted formative qualitative research to enhance acceptability of a conditional cash transfer intervention aimed at reducing amphetamine-type substance use and HIV risk among female entertainment/sex workers and inform implementation as part of a large cluster randomized trial. We conducted in-depth interviews with 30 female entertainment/sex workers. Interviews were digitally recorded and conducted and transcribed in Khmer. English transcripts were read for emerging themes and an initial coding scheme was developed. Data were coded using open and axial coding to clarify and consolidate initial themes. While most participants expressed enthusiasm for the intervention, financial and transportation issues emerged as key barriers to participation. The proposed incentive of USD$1 per screen was regarded as unacceptable and participants identified a need for transportation assistance. Participants also expressed concerns about directly observed urine specimen collection. Finally, while most participants found the 4-week aftercare program acceptable, the need for enjoyable as well as educational content was emphasized. Revisions to the protocol taking these data into account were made to optimize the acceptability of the intervention and the implementation of the trial. Findings identified key concerns and preferences that were taken into account in the final trial protocol. In particular, financial and transportation issues were identified as critical barriers to participation, with the potential to impact both intervention uptake and trial feasibility. Results demonstrate the value of formative qualitative research for clinical trial planning and implementation, particularly in settings where little is known about acceptability of interventions or willingness to participate.

Implementation and Operational Research: Integration of Family Planning Services in a Peer-Managed HIV Care Clinic Serving Most-at-Risk Populations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess contraceptive uptake and method choice among women living with HIV (WLHIV) attending an HIV care clinic serving most-at-risk women in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, before and after the implementation of family planning (FP) services. METHODS: Semistructured questionnaires were administered to clients before (July, 2011) and after (July, 2012) FP service implementation with provision of contraceptive methods (pills, injectables, implants, and intrauterine device [IUD]). RESULTS: Among 250 and 249 clients interviewed before and after implementation respectively, 24.5% of women reported selling sex for money during the last 6 months before and 35.3% after implementation. Awareness about contraceptive methods significantly increased among clients postimplementation. Among sexually active women, male condom remained the contraceptive method of choice with an overall condom use during the last 6 months at 91% postimplementation vs. 95.6% preimplementation (P = 0.11). Although the use of noncondom FP methods increased but not significantly (16.4% after vs. 12.6% before implementation, P = 0.8), the use of dual method (condom plus another method) remained low and did not significantly increase after implementation (14.8% after vs. 11.0% before, P = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that FP practices of WLHIV attending an HIV care clinic for most-at-risk populations did not significantly change after integration on-site provision of a wide range of FP methods. Innovative strategies and further research are needed to better understand how to promote the use of noncondom FP methods and prevent unwanted pregnancies and abortions among most-at-risk women and WLHIV.