Preventive Behavior of HIV Transmission among Young Men Having Sex with Men (YMSM) Working in Entertainment Places of Chonburi Province, Thailand
Abstract
This qualitative research aimed at identifying behaviors to prevent HIV transmission and its contributing factors among thirty young men having sex with men (YMSM) working in entertainment places in Pattaya City, Thailand. In-depth interviews were conducted between 1 August and 30 September, 2015. Content analysis was used to analyze data to verify key answer themes. Results revealed that the majority of YMSM aged 20 to 24 years came from northeastern Thailand. Poverty and being a good son to earn money to support their family were reasons to join the work. Half of respondents knew condom use can prevent HIV. Reasons for not using condoms included being drunk, request from male clients to exchange for money, sexual pleasure, love and trust in their lovers. The other behavior was having sex without penetration. Awareness on risk of HIV transmission, peers, and entertainment owners influenced condom use while work environments exposed
respondents to risk of HIV. YMSM knew benefits of HIV-Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) but reasons for non-use were accessibility and and availability. Though health workers had raised awareness on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV prevention and promote free condom use, YMSM preferred utilizing outreach service at their workplace from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) due to embarrassment to go to public hospital.
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