High rates of sexually transmitted diseases among male transvestites in Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Many male transvestites (waria) in Jakarta, Indonesia engage in unprotected receptive anal and oral intercourse with homosexual and bisexual men for pay. Although this behaviour clearly puts them at risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV infection, little is known about the prevalence of STD among them. To learn the STD prevalence and its risk factors, we conducted an STD prevalence survey among waria in North Jakarta, Indonesia. From August to December 1999 we offered screening for rectal and pharyngeal infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng), Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) by DNA probe (GenProbe PACE 2) and for Treponema pallidum (Tp) by non-treponemal and treponemal serological tests. Of 296 participants (median age 28 years), 93% reported having been paid for sex. A total of 96% reported having had oral sex (median five times/week) and/or anal sex (median three times/week) in the last week. Ng was found in the rectum of 12.8% and the pharynx of 4.2%; Ct was found in 3.8% and 2.4%, respectively. A total of 43.6% had reactive non-treponemal and treponemal tests. Of the 129 with positive treponemal tests, 42.6% had non-treponemal test titres greater than 1:8. In the logistic regression model, waria who were younger (< or =25 years old) had a significantly 3.5 times risk of Ng and/or Ct infections than older waria (>25 years old). Because only 12% of waria stated that they consistently used condoms during any sex act, it is important to warn them that STD/HIV transmission can occur with either anal or oral sex and that the risk of either anal or oral transmission can be reduced by condom use. In addition, high rates of asymptomatic syphilis and rectal gonorrhoea warrant a periodic screening and treatment for these infections in this population. Because waria have the highest rates of HIV and their clients consist of homosexual and bisexual men, successful prevention efforts in waria could help curb the spread of the epidemic.

Sexually transmitted diseases among men who have sex with men: A retrospective analysis from Suraksha clinic in a tertiary care hospital

“…[12] In another study on male transvestites in Jakarta, gonococcal test positivity was present in 17% and seropositivity to treponemal and nontreponemal test was present in 44%. [13] Similar rise in the prevalence of gonorrhea and syphilis has also been pointed out by Truong et al . [14]…”

Increasing safer sexual behavior among Lao kathoy through an integrated social marketing approach

“…Two studies among Indonesian warias found that the self-reported condom use was an average of 1.2 during their last 5 sexual acts [12,13]. Subsequent studies have shown varying rates, with 12% to 41% of warias reporting consistent condom use [5,14]. MtF transgender persons in India and Bangladesh also had low levels of consistent condom use.…”

The Definition of Abstinence

“…4 Infections such as these may go undetected if teens do not realize the risk or if the health professional's index of suspicion is low.…”