“Knowledge, Attitude, and Preventive Practices concerning HIV/AIDS among Men who have Sex with Men in Yangon, Myanmar.”

Abstract

This study aimed to provide information for both governmental and non-governmental organizations on knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices concerning HIV/AIDS among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Yangon city, Myanmar. A cross-sectional survey with a self-administered questionnaire was applied in this study. Yangon city and Medecins du Monde Organization (MdM) were selected by using purposive sampling method. 422 MSM aged 18 to 59 years from the organization were recruited by using mixed method with convenience and snowball sampling methods. Analysis of the variables was done using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis at 95% confidence level. Out of 422 MSM, majority of them (51.4%) were in 25 -35 years of age. Among three characteristics of MSM respondents, 32.5% was Apone (Masculine MSM), 51.2% was Apwint (Feminine MSM), and 16.4% was Tha Nge (Bisexual). Majority of them had high level of knowledge (49.1%), and moderate level of knowledge (41.9%). 61.8% were having neutral attitude towards HIV/AIDS and barriers on HIV/AIDS prevention. Half of the MSM respondents (51.9%) had moderate practice level, and 25.4% had good practice level. In multivariate analysis, age, education, ever tested for HIV, ever received a sexually transmitted infection check-up in the last 12 months, regular receive HIV/STI-related health care services in MdM, first anal sex with a man using condom, having sex with women, and respondents who have casual partner in the past three months were significantly associated with HIV/AIDS preventive practices in the past three months (P< 0.05). Knowledge and attitude were significantly associated with practices on HIV/AIDS prevention in the past three months (p-value <0.05). The respondents with high level of knowledge were higher HIV/AIDS preventive practices by 3.34 times than those with low level of knowledge. The respondents with positive attitude performed more practices on HIV/AIDS prevention by 2.63 times than those with negative attitude. Conclusion: Although knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS have been good among MSM, prevention has not been practiced by most of the respondents, particularly among those with low level of knowledge, and those with negative attitude.