Harm Reduction Journal
Volume 13, Issue 1, 2016

Correlates of sex trading among male non-injecting drug users in Myanmar: A cross-sectional study (Article) (Open Access)

Saw Y.M.* , Saw T.N. , Wai K.M. , Poudel K.C. , Win H.H.
  • a Nagoya University, Department of Healthcare Administration, Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan, Nagoya University Asian Satellite Campuses Institute, Nagoya, Japan
  • b Myanma Perfect Research, Yangon, Myanmar, The University of Tokyo, Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
  • c The University of Tokyo, Department of Human Ecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
  • d University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Health Promotion and Policy, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Amherst, MA, United States
  • e University of Medicine 1, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Yangon, Myanmar

Abstract

Background: Sex trading is a recognized risk factor for human immune deficiency virus infection and other sexually transmitted infections among non-injecting drug users (NIDUs). However, very little research has addressed the factors associated with sex trading among male NIDUs in Myanmar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2010 using the respondent-driven sampling method. In total, 210 NIDUs aged between 18 and 49 years, with no history of injecting drug use, and who used non-injected illicit drugs in the last 6 months were recruited. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire to collect information on participants' sexual and drug use behaviors. Binary and multivariate logistic regressions were applied to analyze the resulting data. Results: Of 210 NIDUs, 84 (40%) reported involvement in the sex trade during the last 3 months. In the adjusted model, factors associated with sex trade involvement included homosexual preference (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61-14.95), having more than two partners (AOR = 3.88; 95% CI 1.55-9.72), had a regular job (AOR = 5.10; 95% CI 1.65-15.72), use of stimulant drugs rather than opiate (AOR = 2.38; 95% CI 1.10-5.15), and who used drugs more than twice per day. Conclusions: More than one third of NIDUs were involved in sex trading. This study suggested that further comprehensive intervention programs that aim to reduce risk factors of trading sex among NIDUs may consider including NIDUs who used stimulant drugs, had regular/full-time jobs, used drugs more than twice per day, and had homosexual preferences. © 2016 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Exchange sex Drug users sex trading Myanmar

Index Keywords

HIV Infections sexual behavior correlation analysis sex trading mate choice human sexuality middle aged Sexual Partners statistics and numerical data work controlled study opiate Substance-Related Disorders interview Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult Humans central stimulant agent cross-sectional study psychology Adolescent homosexuality male risk factor Risk Factors Myanmar prostitution Article major clinical study adult drug use Sex Work illicit drug structured questionnaire

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85000400167&doi=10.1186%2fs12954-016-0123-0&partnerID=40&md5=d28546723c8ba574678ac3db7feaab8c

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-016-0123-0
ISSN: 14777517
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English