Acceptability of Peer-Delivered HIV Testing and Counselling Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender Women (TW) in Myanmar

Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) are a priority population for HIV prevention in Myanmar but report sub-optimal HIV testing frequency. Previous studies have shown that peer involvement in HIV testing can normalize stigmatized sexualities and reduce barriers to testing. We explored the acceptability of peer-delivered HIV testing among 425 undiagnosed MSM and TW in Yangon and Mandalay. An overwhelming majority of participants (86%) reported being ‘comfortable/very comfortable’ with peer-delivered HIV testing. Logistic regression identified reporting sexual identity as Apone [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.8; 95% CI 1.2–11.7], recent HIV testing (aOR 3.1; 95% CI 1.4–6.5), reporting a high likelihood of HIV acquisition (aOR 3.6; 95% CI 1.7–7.6), and reporting ≥ 5 casual partners in the past 3 months (aOR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1–0.6) as associated with peer-delivered HIV testing acceptability. Given ongoing HIV vulnerability among MSM and TW in Myanmar, peer-delivered testing may offer prevention benefits by increasing testing rates and identifying undiagnosed infection earlier.