Document 2467
 DOCN  M94A2467
 TI    Bridge populations in the spread of HIV/AIDS in Thailand.
 DT    9412
 AU    Podhisita C; Morris M; Wawer M; Institute for Population and Social
       Research, Mahidol University,; Thailand.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):298 (abstract no. PC0120). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370108
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which men provide a bridge
       population between commercial sex workers and other populations of women
       in Thailand. METHODS: Respondents were sampled in three provinces in
       Thailand: Udon, Saraburi and Bangkok. Completed sample size was 678
       commercial sex workers (CSWs), 330 truckers and 1740 men aged 17-45.
       Behavioral data and sexual network information were collected using
       questionnaires (face-to-face interviews), focus groups and in-depth
       interviews. RESULTS: Men provide a significant potential bridge for
       transmission of HIV/AIDS in Thailand. Among men in the general
       population, over 40% report visiting a CSW in the last year, and over
       30% of those having CSW contacts were married. The median number of CSW
       visits in the last year was 4-5. Younger men are more likely than older
       men to report visiting CSWs, 60% vs. 31% in the last year. While fewer
       of the young men reporting a CSW contact are married (14%), most report
       a steady girlfriend or fiancee. Truckers also report high rates of
       contact with CSWs. About 51% report visiting a CSW in the last year, and
       over 70% of those reporting such contacts are married. Younger truckers
       are again more likely than older to report a visit (65% vs. 43%), and
       are again less likely to be married (50% vs 85%) but more likely to have
       a steady girlfriend. Among all groups of men, condom use with CSWs is
       sporadic, and with non-commercial partners is below 10%. DISCUSSION:
       Seroprevalence among CSWs in Thailand is known to be both high (over 60%
       in some places) and growing. The potential for spread beyond this group
       depends on the nature of their client population. The size of this
       client population appears to be quite large, and drawn from a wide
       segment of the male population, and the frequency of visits is fairly
       high on an annual basis. This pattern is in sharp contrast to the
       Western industrialized countries where CSW visits are less common, and
       involve a smaller segment of the male population. Most Thai men who
       report CSW visits also have wives or other steady female partners. These
       men are thus the most likely vector for further HIV transmission in
       Thailand, and provide a significant population for intervention efforts.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/TRANSMISSION  Adolescence  Adult
       Female  Human  HIV Infections/*TRANSMISSION  HIV Seroprevalence  Male
       Middle Age  Prostitution  Thailand/EPIDEMIOLOGY  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).