Partying in Thailand: Never testing among MSM who attend sexualized (drug) parties

Abstract

Abstract Background HIV testing for Thai MSM is suboptimal, which undermines their linkage to care and subsequent HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake. Methods We analyzed a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2021 among Thai MSM who attended any private sex parties or circuit parties in the past 3 years (“sexualized parties”). Results Of the 424 men included in our analysis, 47.6% had been recently tested for HIV in the past 1 year, 30.2% had not recently been tested, and 22.2% had never been tested. In our multivariable analysis, relative to participants who had recently tested for HIV, those who have never tested were more likely to have lower education or to live outside of Bangkok, and to have attended both circuit and private sex parties (vs. private sex party only) but were less likely to report any STI diagnosis or to have heard of PrEP. Participants who had an HIV test more than a year ago were more likely to have attended both circuit and private sex parties (vs. private sex parties only) but were less likely to have any STI diagnoses, meet sexual partners online, or have heard of PrEP. Rates of condomless anal sex and willingness to use PrEP were similar across groups. Conclusion Despite the high rates of sexual risk-taking, sexualized party attendees reported suboptimal HIV testing uptake. The joint promotion of HIV testing and PrEP is warranted — especially on-premise HIV testing at circuit parties and outreach at online platforms to reach sexualized party attendees.