Sullivan EA, Tiban K, Toatu T, Tabrizi S, Wang AY, Thi Thanh Thuy N; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. ThPeC7354.
School Womens and Childrens Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Background: The Marine Training College (MTC) in Tarawa provides training and overseas employment opportunities for young men from Kiribati as seafarers. Twenty-five (66%) of 38 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections reported in Kiribati have been in seafarers or their spouses. A cross-sectional risk-factor prevalence survey was conducted to determine the epidemiology of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in seafarers in 2003. Methods: Among the 386 male seafarers aged 17-60 years attending the MTC who were recruited, 357 (92.5%) completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and 386 provided urine and blood samples. Information on demographics, risk and sexual behaviors were collected. Tests included polymerase chain reaction for chlamydia and gonorrhoea and Abbott Determine immunochromographic tests for HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis with confirmation of reactive tests in Australia. Results: The average age of seafarers was 30.0 years (range 18-58 years). In the last 12 months, 79.8% seafarers reported having regular female partners, 40.1% casual sex partners, 19.9% commercial sex partners, 5.6% male partners and 1.5% injecting drug use. Seafarers had an average of 2.8 sexual partners. The most prevalent STI among 386 seafarers was chlamydiosis (9.3%), followed by syphilis (2.7%) and HIV (0.3%). No cases of gonorrhoea were detected. Hepatitis BsAg seropositivity was 22.7%. Having more than 1 partner in the last 12 months was significantly associated with infection with a STI (OR=3.3, 95% CIs 1.6-7.1). Conclusion This survey confirms seafarers are a high risk population for STIs and HIV; and that hepatitis B is endemic in the adult population of Kiribati. There is a need to review the provision of hepatitis B screening and immunization of seafarers at the time of entry to the MTC; and for the strengthening of HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts that promote safer sex practices and 100 per cent condom usage.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adult
- Australia
- Condoms
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Gonorrhea
- HIV
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Hepatitis B
- Humans
- Male
- Micronesia
- Pacific Islands
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Risk-Taking
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Partners
- Syphilis
Other ID:
UI: 102281134
From Meeting Abstracts