Sexually transmitted infections among transgender people and men who have sex with men in Port Vila, Vanuatu

Authors

  • Vanessa Veronese Center for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
  • Caroline van Gemert Center for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
  • Siula Bulu Wan Smolbag Theatre, Port Vila, Vanuatu
  • Tamara Kwarteng Center for International Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
  • Isabel Bergeri Center for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
  • Steven Badman Kirby Institute, University of South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • Alyce Vella Center for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
  • Mark Stoove Center for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2014.5.1.003

Abstract

Despite high sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence in the Pacific, there are limited data on STIs and risk among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people (TG). In 2011, an Integrated Bio-Behavioural Survey recruited self-identified MSM and TG in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Descriptive findings were stratified by sexuality. Among 28 (55%) MSM and 23 (45%) TG, recent anal sex with male partners was more common among MSM (94% vs 71%; P < 0.1), including with casual (47% vs 35%), regular (59% vs 29%) and paying partners (28% vs 12%). MSM more commonly reported lifetime (P < 0.01) and recent sex with female partners (P < 0.01). Reported condom use with any partner type was low. More MSM (35%) than TG (24%) were diagnosed with an STI; previous treatment-seeking behaviour when symptomatic was lower among TG (P < 0.1). Tailored strategies acknowledging differences between MSM and TG are required to reduce STI vulnerability in Vanuatu.

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Published

05-03-2015

How to Cite

1.
Veronese V, van Gemert C, Bulu S, Kwarteng T, Bergeri I, Badman S, Vella A, Stoove M. Sexually transmitted infections among transgender people and men who have sex with men in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2015 Mar. 5 [cited 2026 Apr. 6];6(1). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/286

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2015): January – March

Section

Brief Report

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