Correlates of HIV testing experience among migrant workers from Myanmar residing in Thailand: A secondary data analysis

Abstract

Background: Thailand continues to attract an increasing number of migrant workers (MW) from neighboring countries including mainly Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos; however, little is known about the extent to which MWs from these countries have access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care services. We used data from the baseline survey of the Prevention of HIV/ AIDS among MWs in Thailand (PHAMIT-2) project to document the prevalence of, and factors associated with, HIV testing among MWs from Myanmar, the largest group of MWs in Thailand. Methods and Findings: The baseline survey of PHAMIT-2 was conducted in 2010 among MWs from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos in 10 purposely-selected provinces of Thailand. Of the 1, 034 participants who qualified for the analysis to identify correlates of HIV testing, only 5. 3% reported ever having been tested for HIV. Factors associated with HIV testing included having a secondary or higher education level (AOR, 2. 58; CI, 1. 36-4. 90; P = 0. 004), being female (AOR, 1. 96; CI, 1. 05-3. 66; P = 0. 033), knowing someone who died of AIDS (AOR, 1. 81; CI, 1. 00- 3. 27; P = 0. 048), working in the fishery sector (AOR, 2. 51; CI, 1. 28-4. 92; P = 0. 007), and not having a work permit (AOR, 3. 71; CI, 1. 36-10. 13; P = 0. 010). Conclusion: Our study, in addition to revealing significantly low HIV testing among MWs from Myanmar, identifies important barriers to HIV testing which could be addressed through interventions that promote migrants' culturally-sensitive and friendly service, for example by facilitating flow of information about places for HIV testing, availability of language assistance, and ensuring confidentiality of HIV testing.