Zaw MM; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. D11069.
MAP Foundation, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Background: There are about 1 million Burmese migrants in Thailand. Most migrants being in an illegal capacity their access to public health services is greatly restricted. In Burma the migrants come from areas with few health services. This situation is alarming because Burma is facing a fast spreading HIV epidemic while Thailand has worked hard to contain its own HIV epidemic. The study's objective was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and risky behaviors of Burmese migrants in Bangkok regarding HIV/AIDS, and to identify factors that lead to the risky behaviors. The three aspects were taken as closely linked to HIV vulnerability. Method: Quota sampling method was used to select 367 Burmese migrants. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Chi-square test and Independent Sample T-test were used for data analyses. Results: The level of knowledge regarding actual modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS was fair but migrants also were not sure of transmission risks by other modes. Migrants expressed a willingness to test for HIV despite a negative attitude towards PLWAs. Males and females had different behaviors. Sexual contact in risky situations with erratic condom use and women not getting tested for HIV before pregnancy were the main risky behaviors. Condom use was very low, with very few sexually active migrants using condoms regularly in non-marital relationships. There were also erroneous beliefs that occasional non-use of condoms in risky situations will not cause HIV infection. Conclusion: Lack of access to information and health services was responsible for a limited knowledge among migrants regarding HIV/AIDS, which contributed to the low condom use and other risky behavior. Programs are needed to improve knowledge, attitudes and behaviors among migrants and to facilitate their access to health services.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Attitude
- Behavior
- Condoms
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Knowledge
- Male
- Myanmar
- Pregnancy
- Risk-Taking
- Safe Sex
- Thailand
- Transients and Migrants
Other ID:
UI: 102277910
From Meeting Abstracts