Comparing risk factors of HIV among hijra sex workers in Larkana and other cities of Pakistan: an analytical cross sectional study

Injection drug users (IDUs) have been driving the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in Pakistan since it has progressed from low to concentrated level of epidemic [1]. The other high risk group rapidly emerging as most vulnerable to HIV is male sex workers and among them Hijra (transgender) sex workers (HSWs) are notably driving the epidemic to the general population [2]. In 2008, the national prevalence of HIV was reported to be 21% (95% CI: 19.4%, 22.3) among IDUs and in the same year the infection among HSWs was found to be 6.4% (95% CI: 5.0%, 7.7%) [3].

Hijras have a long recorded history in the Indian subcontinent, from ancient times, as suggested by the Kama Sutra period onwards. This history attributes a number of well-known roles for Hijras within the sub continental cultures. In South Asia, many Hijras live in well-defined, organized, all-Hijra communities, led by a Guru (group leader). These communities have sustained themselves over generations by "adopting young boys who are rejected by, or run away from their family of origin [4].

In Pakistan transgenders have been around for a long time. They used to earn their living by singing and dancing at births, weddings and festivals. With the passage of time their social acceptance in the Pakistani society declined which forced them towards begging on streets and subsequent commercial sex. Larkana is among the various urban centers of Pakistan where HSWs colonize. It is a small rice growing town in rural Sindh situated some 440 kilometers northwest of Karachi. According to the Population Welfare Department, the population of this town is approximately 450,000, mostly comprising of Sindhi speaking people. Larkana came into lime light in 2004 when first outbreak of HIV was documented there and initially 17 IDUs were found to be HIV positive. Later on, this number reached 45 [5]. The mapping study, conducted in 2007, estimated that there were also 600 HSWs scattered at 117 different spots of the town called Deras[6]. In Round III of national surveillance the prevalence of HIV infection among HSWs of Larkana was found to be a staggering figure of 27.6% (21.4, 33.9%) while in Karachi, a mega city with much higher number of HSWs the prevalence was 3.6% (1.2, 6.1) and at the same time in Hyderabad, no HSW was found to be HIV positive [3] (Table 1). Emmanuel at al. have estimated that there were 4.9 HSWs per 1000 adult men in Larkana [7], showing one of the highest proportion in the country as compared to Karachi, where there are 1.7 HSWs per 1000 adult men. Larkana is unique in some ways because this city has a functioning brothel where clients visit FSWs (female sex workers) in day time as well. In the middle of the town lies the Station Road famous because of its close proximity to the city’s railway station. This road has numerous hotels, motels, tea stalls and shops and it remains lively throughout the day and night time. On this road are also located a number of small bed and bathroom type motels called “musafirkhanas”. These motels are popular for male commercial sex. In these musafirkhanas HSWs and their pimp hire a number of rooms and clients visit them throughout the day for receptive anal sex. HSWs in Larkana entertain an average of 3.3 clients per day. In 2008 the average age of HSWs in Larkana was found to be 26.4 years, age of initiation of sex 13.6 years and duration in sex work 12.8 years. Less than 50% reported using a condom in their last paid sexual encounter [8].

It establishes the presence of a very active and mobile group of HSWs in Larkana. These HSWs who exchange sex for money are at an extremely high risk of HIV/AIDS and may act as bridging population between several at-risk groups. It is because they may get engaged in unsafe sexual behaviors with their clients, most of whom are gay or bisexual men, but who may also have female sex partners [9].

To address the links between HIV and sex work, policies and programs must recognize the socio-geographic diversity and characteristic patterns of sex work amid various high risk groups along with the modes of interaction that takes place among them [10]. Limited national studies are available revealing sex behavior pattern and its linkage with HIV and STI among HSWs in Pakistan. In Round III (2008) behavioral and biological survey data on HSWs was collected using a structured questionnaire covering questions on socio-demographic information, knowledge related to HIV/AIDS and STIs and risk behaviors. The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence of sexual behaviors known to facilitate HIV transmission among HSWs in Larkana comparing it with factors among HSWs in other cities of the country.

A total number of 199 (HSWs) were interviewed in Larkana and their characteristics were compared with 420 HSWs living in other cities of the country. Mean age of HSWs living in Larkana was 26.42 ± 5.4. Sindhi (79.9%) was the predominant ethnicity. The majority of HSWs were uneducated (67.8%) and unmarried (96.5%). Among 80.4%, sex work was the only mode of income, 60.3% were living at some place other than their family homes (Table 2).

HSWs in Larkana encountered multiple partners in the month prior to data collection compared to HSWs in other cities (Table 3).

Table 4 shows results of univariate analysis with socio-demographic characteristics, risky sexual behaviors and knowledge regarding HIV prevention and its mode of spread as exposures against high HIV prevalence among HSWs living in Larkana or other cities as outcome.

Regarding Knowledge about prevention of HIV/AIDs majority of HSWs in Larkana replied “no” when asked if prevention is possible by refraining from sex (OR: 6.13, CI: 3.90–9.58). HSWs in Larkana did not know where people could go, if they want to get an HIV/AIDS test (OR: 1.91, CI: 1.31–2.79).

Table 5 In multivariate analysis HSWs from Larkana were more likely to lack knowledge regarding preventive measures against HIV (OR 11.9, CI: 3.4–41.08) and were also more prone to use of alcohol during anal intercourse (OR: 6.3, CI: 2.77–17.79).

The key factors that have been found to be associated with HIV positivity among HSWs in Larkana include younger age, being unmarried, sex work as the only mode of income and longer duration in sex work (5–10 years). Moreover, most of the HSWs in Larkana entertained multiple partners in previous months compared to HSWs from other cities (Table 3). HSWs of Larkana were more likely to lack knowledge regarding preventive measures for HIV. A sizeable proportion of HSWs in our study reported indulging in unprotected anal sex with multiple male partners, both casual and commercial, in the previous month.

Recent studies have shown that high partner turnover along with the lack of knowledge regarding preventive measures has led to a rapid rise in HIV prevalence among sex workers in several Asian cities including Bangkok, China, Indonesia, Nepal and Pakistan [9, 11, 12]. Pakistan progressed to concentrated level of the epidemic in 2005. During that time four per cent of surveyed male sex workers in Karachi were found to be infected and within two years, that figure had nearly doubled. The results of Round III of surveillance indicated an overall 6.4% HIV among HSWs in the country. The 2008 IBBS data and the analyses undertaken in the present study suggest that HSWs in the country and more so HSWs from Larkana are at increased risk of acquiring HIV infection.

This high prevalence of HIV was alarming. Regional data also indicate that HSWs are at elevated risk for HIV infection in many low and middle income countries of the region like Indonesia, Nepal, Vietnam, China and India [11‐17].

The health and social services in Larkana are already fragmented compared to other sites. For example the infant mortality rate of Larkana is 84/1000 live births whereas IMR of Karachi is 40 and Lahore is 50 [18]. More so HSWs are intimidated to seek health services because of the attitude of health care providers.

They come in commercial sex without prior knowledge of safe behaviors and get infected with HIV compared to HSWs from other parts of the country. Several other measures of sexual risk behavior were also reported more frequently by Larkana HSWs than others.

Even though HSWs in Larkana knew that HIV can spread through blood transfusion but many of them also thought that HIV can also spread through kissing and hugging. They also had quite inadequate knowledge regarding modes of prevention of HIV as in response to the question regarding knowledge of prevention of HIV majority of HSWs in Larkana replied “no” when asked if prevention is possible by refraining from sex (OR: 6.1313, CI: 3.9–9–58). HSWs in Larkana did not know where people could go, if they want to get an HIV/AIDS test (OR: 1.91, CI: 1.31–2.79). It actually indicates lack of access and social barriers to seek help if needed. This is discovered in other global surveys as well that sex workers have inadequate access to HIV prevention services, and even more limited access for appropriate treatment, care and support [11, 12]. The epidemiological data on HIV infection rates among sex workers and their clients reflects the failure to adequately respond to their human rights and public health needs. It may also be due to stigma of or being identified as a person at high risk for HIV. While the global response to the pandemic has progressed over the decades both in scale and in efforts to reach diverse and vulnerable groups, stigma and discrimination still follow affected individuals in many settings [17, 19‐21].

Findings from multivariate analysis showed that the HSWs from Larkana were more prone to use of alcohol during anal intercourse. This is a significant finding but not surprising because drunken HSWs are more likely to ignore safe sex. Literature also points to the use of alcohol and other psycho stimulants as a risk factor for HIV infection among HSWs [22‐25]. Substance abuse is also known to be associated with prolonged and rough anal sex, which when combined with reduced condom use, would appear to be a fairly dangerous combination. Increasing consistent condom use is of utmost importance for HIV prevention.

Pillar 3: Reduce vulnerability and address structural issues [26, 27].

Working in partnership with sex workers to identify their needs and to advocate for policies and programs that improve their health, safety and engagement in the AIDS response is a proven strategy and an essential feature of UNAIDS approach. Partnerships at national, local and community levels should be strengthened to remove the barriers that sex workers face to service access and their human rights. In addition drivers of the epidemic like social exclusion, stigma and discrimination of HSWs should be addressed. One of the strategies to address could be development and empowerment of transgender community based organizations which exist in negligible number in Pakistan and none in Larkana.

HIV-related high-risk behaviors were common among HSWs in Larkana, along with a low rate of condom use and multiple sex partners. Poverty, low access to appropriate health care and the limited awareness to HIV spread modes and preventive strategies are the factors that pose a deadly threat for the spread of HIV among vulnerable groups in the country. HSWs are particularly at high risk due to poor access to preventive services and education. They not only suffer physical anguish but also experience isolation, discrimination and abuse.

Hence, HSWs should be the target of specific preventive activities due to their particular vulnerability and the likelihood that the infection may disseminate into the general population given the high proportion of bisexual clients. Comprehensive rights-based programs on HIV and sex work are critical for the success of the HIV prevention efforts and reduction in stigma and discrimination associated with the patients.