ID: 873

Type of submission: Oral

Conference track: Research

Topics: Harm Reduction Services and Service Provision; Key Populations and Harm Reduction

Presenting author: Ye Kyaw Aung

Presenting author biography:

Ye Kyaw Aung is a young researcher holding a master of public health degree. I am currently working in research for HIV, Tuberculosis and malaria in Population Services International/Myanmar. I have been working for 6 years in HIV prevention settings among key populations, i.e., PWID, MSM, and Sex workers.

Same risk but different reach: Lower rates of HIV testing among rural-dwelling PWID in Myanmar

Ye Kyaw Aung, Tin Aung

Introduction:
HIV/AIDS in Myanmar is in the form of concentrated epidemic with prevalence being highest among people who inject drugs (PWID) (23.1%, range: 4.6%-35.5%). At the same time, coverage of HIV testing and treatment services among PWID fell short of optimal targets for fast track response. Our study highlighted the uneven reach of HIV testing services among PWID residing in Kalay Township in Myanmar.

Methodology:
Using respondent driven sampling, we recruited and interviewed 252 PWID who reportedly injected drugs within one month. The data collection started with three initial seeds and lasted for a month in early 2016. All analysis for potential associations were calculated by using exported individual Gile-SS weights in STATA.

Results:
PWID in the study had almost equal proportion of background characteristics, i.e., urban/rural residents. No much difference in risk behaviours was seen among PWID residing in either urban or rural areas. Among PWID, 43% (95% confidence interval [CI] 33.7%-52.3%) had ever tested for HIV, and 20.4% (95%CI 13.9%-29.1%) tested within past 6 months. Almost all of PWID who had ever tested for HIV, knew their results (94.1%, 95%CI 88.5%-97.1%). In multivariable analysis, ever HIV testing and recent HIV testing within past 6 months was more frequent among PWID residing in urban areas compared to those in rural areas (OR 3.53, 95%CI 1.57-7.95 and OR 4.24, 95%CI 1.83-9.84, respectively). PWID having high education were substantially exposed to ever HIV testing (OR 22, 95%CI 3.76-128.7) and recent HIV testing (OR 24.6, 95%CI 2.48-244.1).

Conclusion:
Overall HIV testing rates were low among PWID in Kalay Township. In addition, we found that PWID with high education and living in urban areas were more likely to get tested for HIV. There was a need to extend the coverage of HCT services to reach the whole PWID population for comprehensive response.