Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, and syphilis and associated risk behaviours in male transvestites (Hijras) in Karachi, Pakistan. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, and syphilis and associated risk behaviours in male transvestites (Hijras) in Karachi, Pakistan.

Int J STD AIDS. 1999 May;10(5):300-4. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/99288764
Baqi S; Shah SA; Baig MA; Mujeeb SA; Memon A; Department of Medicine, Ziauddin University Hospital, Clifton,; Karachi, Pakistan.

Abstract: In Pakistan, male sex workers are predominantly transvestites and transsexuals known as Hijras. In 1998 in Karachi, Pakistan, we studied the seroprevalence of HIV, HBsAg and syphilis and associated risk factors in Hijras. Study subjects were verbally administered a structured questionnaire that determined risk behaviours for sexually transmitted and blood-borne diseases and knowledge of AIDS/STDs. After pre-test counselling, verbal consent was taken for serological testing. The results were provided on a one-on-one post-test counselling session. Three hundred male transvestites were approached; all agreed to answer the questionnaire, 208 consented to blood testing. Of 300, 81% acknowledged commercial sex with men. Of 208, prevalence of syphilis was 37%; HBsAg 3.4%; HIV 0%. The prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is low in transvestite sex workers but that of syphilis is high. Intervention programmes implemented at this stage can have an impact on HIV and STD prevention.
Keywords: JOURNAL ARTICLE Adolescence Adult Aged Hepatitis B/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/ETIOLOGY Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/ANALYSIS Human HIV Seronegativity *HIV Seroprevalence Male Middle Age Pakistan/EPIDEMIOLOGY Prostitution Questionnaires Risk Factors Seroepidemiologic Studies Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Syphilis/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/ETIOLOGY Syphilis Serodiagnosis Transvestism/*COMPLICATIONSKWDjournalarticleadolescenceadultagedhepatitisb/KWDepidemiology/etiologyhepatitisbsurfaceantigens/analysishumanhivseronegativityKWDhivseroprevalencemalemiddleagepakistan/epidemiologyprostitutionquestionnairesriskfactorsseroepidemiologicstudiessupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tsyphilis/KWDepidemiology/etiologysyphilisserodiagnosistransvestism/KWDcomplications
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