The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended targeted HIV testing for persons at high-risk for HIV infection including MSM. These findings suggest the need for more determined and rigorous HIV prevention efforts to stop the HIV epidemic among these young MSM. Playing receptive anal sex role and drug use with sex have increased overtime while the rates of consistent condom use and prior HIV test were lower than 50%. In the recent observational cohort study, young MSM (aged 15–22 years old) were reported to have highest risk for HIV infection among the participating MSM in Bangkok, Thailand with the estimated HIV incidence increasing from 4.1 in 2003 to 7.6 per 100 person-years in 2014. Unawareness of own HIV status and risk behaviors including having multiple sexual partners, high rates of partner change, unprotected sexual intercourse and drug use for sex pleasure were shown to be associated with the ongoing HIV transmission among the MSM population.

Despite the overall decline in the prevalence of HIV infection in Thai general population, the HIV prevalence of Thai MSM has increased from 8.0% in 2010 to 9.2% in 2015. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have been significantly affected by HIV infection in Thailand.

Strategies to improve access to HTC, risk perception and linkage to care are needed for HIV prevention and management among the youth MSM. Youth MSM had substantial high HIV risk, false perception of low HIV risk and low rate of care engagement but demonstrated considerable rate of HTC uptake. Among the 14 youth MSM newly-diagnosed with HIV infection, only 6 (43%) showed-up for continuity care after 1-year follow-up. By HTC, the rates of HIV infection tended to be higher among youth MSM comparing to other MSM. Comparing to other MSM, youth MSM had significantly higher median number of lifetime sexual partners and to be first-time testers (42% vs. There were 358 MSM participants 87 (24%) were youth MSM. Care engagement within 1 year of diagnosis was subsequently assessed. HIV care establishment appointment was arranged by the counselors for HIV-infected participants. HTC was provided on-site with result notification within 1 h. The MSM were categorized as having actual “low-risk”, “moderate-risk” and “high-risk” for HIV acquisition based on the validated study risk categorization tool. HIV risk and risk perception were assessed by an anonymous survey. MethodsĪ subanalysis of a prospective study among Thai MSM attending a gay sauna was conducted. However, data on HIV risk, risk perception and HIV testing and counseling (HTC) uptake among youth MSM in hotspots are limited. In youth MSM (aged 15–24 years), the incidence of HIV infection has substantially increased. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are amongst populations at-risk for HIV acquisition in Thailand.

Risk perception definition