Reducing HIV risk among transgender women in Thailand: a quasi-experimental evaluation of the sisters program

D Pawa, R Firestone, S Ratchasi, O Dowling… - PLoS …, 2013 - journals.plos.org
D Pawa, R Firestone, S Ratchasi, O Dowling, Y Jittakoat, A Duke, G Mundy
PLoS One, 2013journals.plos.org
Transgender women are particularly at risk of HIV infection, but little evidence exists on
effective HIV prevention strategies with this population. We evaluated whether Sisters, a
peer-led program for transgender women, could reduce HIV risks in Pattaya, Thailand. The
study used time-location sampling to recruit 308 transgender women in Pattaya into a
behavioral survey in 2011. Coarsened exact matching was used to create statistically
equivalent groups of program participants and non-participants, based on factors influencing …
Transgender women are particularly at risk of HIV infection, but little evidence exists on effective HIV prevention strategies with this population. We evaluated whether Sisters, a peer-led program for transgender women, could reduce HIV risks in Pattaya, Thailand. The study used time-location sampling to recruit 308 transgender women in Pattaya into a behavioral survey in 2011. Coarsened exact matching was used to create statistically equivalent groups of program participants and non-participants, based on factors influencing likelihood of program participation. Using multivariable logistic regression, we estimated effects of any program participation and participation by delivery channel on: condom use at last sex; consistent condom and condom/water-based lubricant use in the past 3 months with commercial, casual, and regular partners; and receipt of HIV testing in the past 6 months. Program coverage reached 75% of the population. In a matched sub-sample (n = 238), participation in outreach was associated with consistent condom/water-based lubricant use with commercial partners (AOR 3.22, 95% CI 1.64–6.31). Attendance at the Sisters drop-in center was associated with receiving an HIV test (AOR 2.58, 95% CI 1.47–4.52). Dedicated transgender-friendly programs are effective at reducing HIV risks and require expansion to better serve this key population and improve HIV prevention strategies.
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