HIV/AIDS RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV (PLHIV) IN RATANA METTA ORGANIZATION YANGON MYANMAR

This cross-sectional study aims to identify the risk behaviors regarding HIV/AIDS of people living with HIV/AIDS in Ratana Metta Organization (RMO) in Yangon, Myanmar. The data was collected from 369 participants using interview questionnaire method. Regarding sexual risk behavior, 6% of respondents (11 female, 12 male and 1 gay) are found to have unprotected intercourse, 0.3% of respondents (1 gay) had unprotected anal intercourse, 1.9% (1 female, 5 male and 1 gay) have multiple sex partners and 1% (4 male) had sexual intercourse with commercial sex workers within one month from study. One respondents used injecting drug (heroin) (0.3%), 3.0% of respondents (1 female and 10 male) had intercourse while on drug in their lifetime and 4 of them did not use condom. Over 20.0% of respondents are reported to have consumed alcohol withing one month, 4.1% (3 female, 11 male and 1 gay) had intercourse while they were drunk and 5 of them (1.4%) did not use condom during intercourse. More than 5.0% of respondents are found to be heavy or high-risk alcohol drinkers which can be linked to binge drinking. Over 80% of respondents obtained high HIV/AIDS Knowledge score. There are higher number of male respondents than female and gay respondents in having risk behaviors. There are associations among the risk behaviors such having multiple partners and anal intercourse (p-value <0.05). multiple partners and intercourse with commercial sex worker (p-value<0.05) multiple partners and alcohol consumption (p-value<0.001). alcohol consumption and anal intercourse (p-value<0.05). alcohol consumption and intercourse with commercial sex worker (p-value<0.05). The result of the study will be useful for the organization to evaluate their project and improve it. Since the unemployment rate is high among the respondents (53.3%), the occupayional situation of the respondents should be explored and also detail of respondents' alcohol consumption behavior should be found out as further studies. Based on the results, the appropriate intervention program can be developed and implemented.