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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Patterns of sexual behaviour of male patients before testing HIV-positive in a Cambodian hospital, Phnom Penh

Phan Sok A B E , Joseph I. Harwell B C , Lynne Dansereau D , Stephen McGarvey D , Mark Lurie D and Kenneth H. Mayer C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE (SHCH), St. 134, Sankat Vealvong, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

B Present address: 247 Surgeoner Crescent, Newmarket, ON L3X 2L3, Canada.

C Brown University/The Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Avenue, Providence, RI 02906, USA.

D Brown University, 121 South Main Street (2nd Floor), Providence, RI 02912, USA.

E Corresponding author. Email: phan.sok@gmail.com

Sexual Health 5(4) 353-358 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH08001
Submitted: 3 January 2008  Accepted: 15 April 2008   Published: 18 November 2008

Abstract

Background: Sexual behaviours among HIV-positive male patients in Cambodia have not been fully evaluated. Objectives: The patterns of sexual behaviours and social factors were compared between married and single men. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional survey of 174 male HIV patients was undertaken during March 1999–June 2000 in Phnom Penh. Results: Many participants (61%) reported that they were unaware that their sexual behaviours may have put them at risk of HIV infection. Sexual behaviours included having sex with a sex worker (90%), multiple sexual partners (41%), and both of these behaviours (37%). Two-thirds (69%) reported using a condom when having sex with a sex worker. Condom use with multiple sexual partners was low (24%). A history of condom use with a sex worker was less likely to be reported among married men than single men (P = 0.008). Always using condoms with a sex worker did not differ between married men and single men. Social factors that influenced visiting a sex worker included invitation by a friend (88%), alcohol consumption (74%), and having extra spending money (72%). Multivariate analysis suggests that alcohol consumption (P = 0.008) and having extra spending money (P = 0.02) were strongly associated with visiting a sex worker. Conclusions: In Cambodia, HIV-infected men frequently reported a history of using sex workers. Having multiple sex partners or using a sex worker and multiple sexual partners were not rare. Interventions should target men in settings where alcohol is consumed and to encourage married men to use condoms.

Additional keywords: HIV, men, social factors.


Acknowledgements

The authors thank the SHCH in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for allowing the use of data. This investigation was supported by the Miriam Hospital, Brown University and the NIH Fogarty International Center AIDS International Training and Research Program Grant #TW00237 and Lifespan-Tufts-Brown CFAR #P30 AI42853.


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