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The
Era of ARV in the Generalised HIV
Epidemic in Thailand: Research Approaches
Editors :
Aphichat Chamratrithirong and Dusita Phuengsamran
Contents :
National Epidemic and the Regional
Perpectives
The Sexual Risk Behavior in Thai
Society
The Country Program and the Community
Responses
Published Article:
Kathleen
Ford A , B , C and Aphichat Chamratrithirong
B. First sexual
experience and current sexual behaviour among older
Thai men and women.
Sexual
Health 2009; 6(3): 195–202.
A
School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 109
Observatory Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA.
B Institute for Population and Social Research,
Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon 4, Salaya, Nakhon
Pathom, Thailand.
C Corresponding author. Email: kford@umich.edu
Abstract
Background:
The focus of most studies of sexual behaviour has been
on younger adults and adolescents, because they are
perceived as having higher levels of sexual activity
than older persons, and a consequently higher risk of
HIV infection. Much less attention has been paid to
the sexual behaviour of men and women in their forties
and fifties. Using a life course framework, the objective
of the present study is to examine AIDS knowledge, HIV
testing and sexual risk behaviours among Thai men and
women aged 40–59 years. The study also examines the
influence of initial sexual experiences on later sexual
behaviour.
Methods:
Data for the study are from the 2006 Thai National Survey
of Sexual Behaviour, a national probability sample of
6048 individuals.
Results:
Older Thai men and women were well informed about methods
of HIV transmission, but many were unaware of antiretroviral
(ARV) medications. Older adults were also less accepting
of HIV positive persons than were younger adults. Fewer
than half of the older adults had undergone HIV testing,
with testing associated with medical checkups or undertaken
before operations. Reported condom use was very low
with regular partners, moderate with casual partners,
and high with sex workers. While the age at first sex
has not changed markedly, the type of partner has changed
over time. Fewer men have their first sex with a commercial
partner. In general, first sex with someone with strong
ties to the respondent was related to lower levels of
risk behaviour in late adulthood.
Conclusions:
Areas of concern for AIDS prevention programs include
condom use with casual partners and paid partners, knowledge
of ARV, and attitudes towards persons living with AIDS.
Keywords: AIDS, sexuality,
Thailand.
Sexual Health 6(3) 195–202
Submitted: 2 July 2008
Accepted: 21 April 2009 Published: 3 August 2009
Full text DOI: 10.1071/SH08049
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