AEGiS-14IAC: Measuring HIV/AIDS awareness, condom awareness and condom usage of the transsexual community in Malaysia.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Measuring HIV/AIDS awareness, condom awareness and condom usage of the transsexual community in Malaysia.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. E11408)

Teh YK
School of Social Development, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia

BACKGROUND: This study tries to measure the HIV/AIDS and condom awareness, and the practise of safe sex of male transsexuals in Malaysia. It was based on a 1992 small scale study carried out by Donna Rae Palmer with funding from AMFAR. The questionnaire was in the Malay language with transsexual slang words being used. It was designed with the assistance of a few transsexuals working for Pink Triangle, a HIV/AIDS awareness NGO. This study had 507 respondents. A pilot study on 40 transsexuals found the original questionnaire could be easily understood by the respondents and was reliable.

METHODS: The questionnaire had 41 main items. Respondents were randomly selected in the 8 states where they live. Pearson correlation, regression, ANOVA and bonferroni were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS: HIV/AIDS and condom awareness has increased among the transsexuals. However, only 71% are knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS, while only 68% are knowledgeable about condom usage. Out of those who are knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS, only 10% practised safe sex, while out of those who are knowledgeable about condom usage, only 30% practised safe sex. The higher the level of awareness, the more they would practise safe sex. The demographic factors that affect awareness are age, religion and income.

CONCLUSION: Although awareness has increased among the transsexuals, many still do not practise safe sex. Almost all respondents said they would like to know more about HIV/AIDS and safe sex. The Malaysian government and NGOs should organize more awareness programs for the transsexuals, particularly those who are older, of the Hindu religion and having an income between RM501 to RM2,500. The same or slightly modified questionnaire should be used for future evaluation. It could also be used for other marginalised groups with different sexual orientation with changes made to the slang words used for the transsexual respondents.

Keywords: AEGIS, Condoms, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Sex Behavior, Safe Sex, Awareness, HIV Seropositivity, Pilot Projects, Questionnaires, Malaysia, MaleKWDaegis,condoms,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,sexbehavior,safesex,awareness,hivseropositivity,pilotprojects,questionnaires,malaysia,male

020707
E11408

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.