Sexual behaviors and seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV among hill tribe youths of Northern Thailand

Individual sexual behaviors reflect the degree of risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [1], which are caused by more than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites known to be transmitted through sexual contact, particularly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which are identified as major human health threats today [2]. Expressions of sexual behaviors are influenced by both internal and external factors [3‐5]. Internal factors include age, sex, hormones, etc., which stimulate the interest in or expression of sexual activities in humans [4, 5]. Sexual behaviors also depend on the stage of physical and mental development [6, 7]. Several studies have reported that sociocultural factors act as external factors to express or suppress some human-related sexual behaviors [8‐10]. Some communities widely accept sexual-related behaviors in public areas, while others condemn this behavior [11]. Some communities accept polygamy, while others do not [12]. Sex workers are legal and allowed in some countries, whereas they are not allowed in others [13, 14]. However, reproduction and genetic continuation are the major factors driving sexual behaviors in all species, including humans [15].

Different communities have different levels of social acceptance or suppression of the expression of their sexual behaviors [16, 17]. Sexual behaviors in different communities or groups of people are also dominated by their economy, culture, lifestyle, etc. [18]. Moreover, the patterns or preferences of sexual behaviors are also different from person to person and community to community, including people living in Thailand [19‐21]. Many communities have already accepted the differences in human sexual behaviors or sexual patterns, such as male-to-female sexual intercourse and male-to-male sexual intercourse. [22, 23]. In addition, sexual behaviors are influenced by other factors, such as alcohol, drugs, the media, etc. [5, 8, 19, 24]. The use of alcohol or substances in different groups or different communities of people depends on various factors, including personal characteristics, education level, social status, culture, income, etc. [19, 20, 24]. Different sexual behaviors lead to different levels of exposure to HIV, HBV, and HCV [25, 26]. The United Nation defines that those people aged 15–24 are youths [27]. Youths are also defined as the sexually active stage [28]. Therefore, from several studies mentioned above [3‐5, 8‐10, 19, 24], youths aged 15–24 years are at the sexually active stage of life; as a result, they become one of the most vulnerable populations for drug and alcohol use and, consequently, at high risk of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections.

In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that HIV/AIDS, HBV, and HCV were major global communicable diseases for humankind in this era with a large population of infected persons. Approximately 35 million are HIV-infected [29], 257 million are HBV-infected [30], and 71 million have chronic hepatitis C infections globally [31]. Currently, these diseases are widely recognized as major public health problems worldwide with significant impacts on human health and human life, particularly among those people who are living in highly epidemic areas, including Thailand [29].

Thailand has one of the highest HIV, HBV and HCV burdens in the world [32, 33], particularly among those with low socioeconomic status, including the hill tribe people [32]. Hill tribes are a group of people who have their own cultures, beliefs and lifestyles [34]. They migrated from the south of China and have settled in the border regions of Thailand-Myanmar-Laos over the past centuries [34]. In 2017, approximately 3.5 million hill tribe people lived in Thailand, and 300,000 hill tribe people lived in Chiang Rai Province [35] located in the northernmost part of Thailand. They are classified into six main tribes: Akha, Lahu, Hmong, Yao, Lisu, and Karen [35]. Each tribe has their own culture, lifestyle, and level of acceptance for the use of alcohol and substances in their communities [36]. Most hill tribe people are of low socioeconomic status, and some of them do not possess Thai identification cards (ID cards), which are used for free access to all public services, including education and health care systems [37]. Today, the hill tribe people who live in Thailand are the second and third generations of the first hill tribe generation that had moved to and settled in Northern Thailand in the early twentieth century [34]. Many hill tribe people still practice their own traditions, cultures and lifestyles, including sexual behaviors, particularly sexual intercourse in their early age, use alcohol before having sex, etc. [37]. Some tribes accept monogamy, and others accept polygamy. Akha accepts polygamy, while Lahu accepts getting married in younger age, less than 15 years [38]. Under globalization and urbanization, many have changed their sexual behaviors. They often work with or are exposed to people outside their community and have integrated with a new society with advanced communication technology, population migration, rapid economic growth, and a mixture of cultures, resulting in a risk of HIV, HBV, and HCV infection. Moreover, many factors may influence their sexual behaviors and practices, particularly among those in the sexually active stage of life and those aged 15–24 years.

There is limited scientific information available on sexual behaviors and HIV, HBV, and HCV among hill tribe youths. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the context of sexual behaviors and estimate the prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV among hill tribe youths aged 15–24 years. The study also aimed to assess several risk behaviors that could be associated with STIs between sexes and tribes among hill tribe youths.

Rapid immunochromatographic tests were used to detect hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus antibody-1 and-2 (anti-HIV-1 and -2). The Wondfo Diagnostic Kit® was used to detect anti-HBs, which showed a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 99.2%. The Wondfo One Step HBsAg Serum/Plasma Test® was used for HBsAg detection, which showed a sensitivity of 96.2% and a specificity of 99.3%. The Quick Hepatitis C Virus Serum/Plasma Test was used to detect antibodies to HCV, which showed a sensitivity of 96.6% and a specificity of 99.5%. Finally, the Wondfo Diagnostic Kit for HIV-1 and -2 Antibodies® was used to detect the antibodies of HIV-1 and HIV-2, with a sensitivity of 100.0%.

In total, 1325 participants were enrolled in the study. The majority were females (60.5%), aged 15–17 years (58.9%), and single (94.3%). More than half were Buddhist (56.1%) and lived with their parents (59.8%). A total of 72.5% graduated high school, and 90.0% had no income (Table 1).

Participants used different substances in different proportions: 14.5% smoked, 22.4% drank alcohol, 2.6% used methamphetamines, and 4.5% used marijuana. In addition, 14.2% had tattoos, 61.4% had ear piercings, 12.2% had a history of medical surgery, 4.0% had experienced injection from illegal practitioners, and 2.0% had experienced acupuncture (Table 2).

While making comparisons between sexes regarding risky behaviors, 14 behaviors or variables were significantly different between the sexes: smoking, alcohol use, methamphetamine use, heroin use, crystal methamphetamine use, opium use, marijuana use, tattoos, ear piercings, a history of organ transplants, a history of medical surgery, a history of drug injection from illegal practitioners, acupuncture, and experience working outside the village. The male sex made up a greater proportion of all variables except ear piercing, which was greater in females (Table 2).

In total, 402 persons (30.3%) reported having sexual experience (average age of first sexual intercourse was 16.7 years, with a minimum of 12 years and maximum of 23 years). Both males and females had similar proportions of having girlfriends (38.5%) and boyfriends (38.2%). 80.6% reported having sexual experience with their current boyfriend or girlfriend. Among those who had sexual experience, 42.0% had experienced one-night stands, 26.9% had sexual experience with prostitutes (commercial sex workers) within 1 year prior to the study, 36.0% had regular sexual partners, and 18.9% used alcohol prior to having sexual intercourse. Sixty-three (15.7%) participants had previously experienced testing for HIV/AIDS. However, only 5.0% had been tested for HIV/AIDS within the 6 months prior to the study (Table 3).

In the comparison of sexual behaviors between males and females, six variables were found to be significantly different between sexes: number of boyfriends or girlfriends, sexual experience, sexual experience with current boyfriends or girlfriends, sexual experience with one-night stands, sexual experience with a prostitute within 1 year prior to the study, and having a regular partner. These variables were found to be more common among boys than girls. However, there were no significant differences between sexes regarding testing for HIV (Table 3).

Regarding the risk behaviors between the tribes, four variables were statistically significant: smoking, alcohol use, hepatitis B vaccination in family members, and work experience outside the village (Table 4). However, some variables could not be analyzed due to the small sample size in cells.

Regarding sexual behaviors between the tribes, six variables were found to have statistical significance: having a boyfriend/girlfriend, number of boyfriends or girlfriends, sexual experience, HIV testing experience, HIV testing within 6 months prior to the study, and HIV testing within 6 months to 1 year prior to the study. These variables of having a boyfriend/girlfriend, number of boyfriends or girlfriends, and sexual experience were found to be more common among the Akha, Lahu, and Hmong than other tribes (Table 5).

According to the sexual patterns of males, 11.5% were MSM, and 4.6% were bisexual. For females, 5.0% preferred to have sex with females, and 12.0% were bisexual. One-third met their boyfriend or girlfriend through Facebook, and another one-third met them as classmates at school. Among those who had sexual experience, 88.1% reported having their first intercourse with a boyfriend or girlfriend, and more than half did not use a condom. Almost one-third (26.9%) of participants had sex with a prostitute 1 year prior to the study, and 8.0% engaged in commercial sex (Table 6).

Regarding STIs, 78.1% of females had known STIs, 47.7% had pelvic pain, 8.6% had a bad smell, 0.2% had discharge, 1.2% had vaginal ulcers, and 1.7% had lymphadenitis in the groin area. In males, 63.5% had known STIs, 3.4% had discharge, 12.0% had pain during urination, and 4.4% had lymphadenitis in the groin area. There was a significant difference in the proportion of those who had known STIs, discharge (a condition in which fluid drained from the genital area as a result of a bacterial, viral or yeast infection), pain during urination, and lymphadenitis in the groin area between both sexes (Table 7).

From a total of 1325 participants, 836 blood specimens (63.1%) were voluntarily obtained. Among those who allowed blood specimen collection, nobody was positive for anti-HIV-I and -II, 6.4% were positive for anti-HBs, 1.9% were positive for HBsAg, and 0.2% were positive for anti-HCV. Only 3 participants (3.5%) reported having been vaccinated for hepatitis B and were positive for anti-HBs (Table 8).

Several risk behaviors and sexual behaviors related to HIV, HBV, and HCV infections were detected among hill tribe youths in Thailand, such as having number of boyfriends or girlfriends, having sexual experience, sexual experience with one-night stands, sexual experience with a prostitute within 1 year prior to the study, etc. A large proportion of hill tribe youths have pierced ears, use alcohol, use a shared toothbrush, have work experience outside the village, smoke and have tattoos. However, less than 10.0% had a history of hepatitis B vaccination. Regarding sexual experience, almost one-third had boyfriends or girlfriends, and most of them had already had sexual intercourse with their partners. A large proportion had sexual experience with one-night stands and prostitutes with 1 year prior to the study. Only 15.7% had a history of HIV testing.

The seroprevalence of HIV and HCV was low; however, the prevalence of HBV was high (2.9% for HBsAg and 10.2% for anti-HBs). UNAIDS reported that in 2017, the HIV prevalence among people aged 15 and older was 0.2–0.4% [41]. However, in our study, among 836 blood specimens obtained from the participants, none were positive for HIV. Leroi et al. [42] reported that the seroprevalence of HBsAg in Thailand was 5.1%, which is greater than that found in our study. In a recent study on the seroprevalence of HCV in the Thai population, Wasitthankasem, et al. [43] reported a seroprevalence of 0.9%, which was greater than that in the hill tribe youths from our study at 0.2%.

Several studies have reported the impact of sociocultural factors on risk behaviors and sexual behaviors in different communities [5, 10‐12]. A study on culture and sexual behaviors among Iranian and New Zealand women found that sexual behaviors and sexual desire and pleasure were related to community culture, beliefs and past experiences regarding sexual activities [44]. A change in the social context or diversity of socialization led to a change in risky behaviors and sexual behaviors among youths in Ghana [45]. Moreover, a study by Mpondo et al. [46] reported that apart from culture, parenting styles and school curriculum affected risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors, of youths. A study in Nordic countries demonstrated that cultural and socioeconomic factors were associated with substance use among youths [47]. This was supported by a study in the United States that was conducted in different minority high school children with different cultural backgrounds, and it demonstrated that there were different risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors, particularly related to HIV infection [48]. This finding coincides with our study, which found that some behaviors, including sexual behaviors, are different between sexes and tribes, such as ear piercing, alcohol use, smoking, sexual experience, number of sexual partners, etc., which might be affected by the participants’ cultures and socioeconomic statuses. For instance, Akha people accept polygamy, while ear piercing is common in Lisu females [35, 49]. Moreover, Lahu males accept starting drinking alcohol in young age [50].

Many studies conducted in different countries, regions, and populations have demonstrated the associations of risk behaviors, sexual behaviors, and HIV, HBV, and HCV prevalence among youths [8, 14, 18]. They clearly showed that several risk behaviors and sexual behaviors impacted individual and community health in both developed and developing countries. A study of youths’ risky behaviors in the United States in 2017 showed that sex, race/ethnicity, and number of partners, including substance use among youths, were associated with youths’ health, particularly regarding HIV and HBV infections [51]. A systematic review on the prevalence of drug use, sexual activities, tattooing, and piercing from 2007 to 2017 included 9303 publications from around the world and reported that these behaviors were associated with HIV, HBV, and HCV [52]. A study in Nigeria reported that sharing items, tattooing, and a history of surgery were highly associated with HBV infection [53]. Ssewanyana et al. [54] conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on health risk behaviors among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa and found that the adolescents in the area had unprotected sexual intercourse with boyfriends or girlfriends leading to HIV and HBV infection. Moreover, a study in Beijing, China in 2018 reported that illegal drug use, number of sexual partners, and condom use were predictors of HIV infection among MSM aged 15–14 years [55]. Tran et al. [56] also reported that substance use and sexual intercourse with sex workers were associated with HIV infection among ethnic minority youths in Vietnam. In addition, a study in China by Pei et al. [57] on rural ethnic minority youths found that working outside the village and illiteracy were risk behaviors associated with HIV infection. In our study, there were several risk behaviors and sexual behaviors for HIV, HBV, and HCV infections among the hill tribe youths in Thailand, such as ear piercing, using alcohol, using a shared toothbrush, working outside the village, smoking, tattooing, sexual experience at an early age, and having a large number of sexual partners.

One interesting finding from our study was that the hill tribe youths in Thailand were highly vulnerable to HIV, HBV, and HCV infections due to their own behaviors, poor health education, low socioeconomic status, exposure to people outside the village, and low coverage of vaccination. In addition, the degree of behavioral expression and sexual behavior among the tribes and between the sexes were also different. This means that the different sexes and different tribes have different levels of exposure to HIV, HBV, and HBV. This coincides with some studies conducted in Thailand [20, 21, 24].

Some limitations were found in this study that could impact the analysis of the findings. Of those who participated in the study, 36.9% were not willing to provide blood specimens for HIV, HBV, and HCV marker detection. Two characteristics were significantly different between those who submitted blood specimens and those who did not: sex and tribe (see Appendix). Females were more willing to submit blood specimens than males, and Akha and Lahu participants were less willing to submit blood specimens than the others. However, the remaining number of participants who voluntarily allowed their blood specimens to be obtained was enough to be representative of the seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV among hill tribe youths in Thailand. Another factor that could impact the results is recall bias, such as the questions on number of partners, history of HBV vaccination, etc. An advantage of the cross-sectional design, which demonstrated the seroprevalence of the diseases, is that the results can be used in public health policy development, especially for resource allocation. This study also provided information on risk behaviors and sexual behaviors among the minority who are highly vulnerable to HIV, HBV, and HCV infections, which could be used for developing effective public health interventions for certain populations in the future.

A large proportion of the hill tribe youths in Thailand engage in various risk behaviors and sexual behaviors related to HIV, HBV and HCV infections, such as substance use, using a shared toothbrush, injection with illegal substances, and working outside the village. Additionally, they had a low rate of HBV vaccination and a high rate of ear piercing, which had a significantly high prevalence rate in females. Hill tribe youths are also exposed to sexual experience at an early age, many sexual partners, prostitutes, and one-night stands, but most of them are not regularly tested for HIV. Under the conditions of economic constraints and poor education, many hill tribe youths desire to work outside the community and improve their families’ economic status; as such, they become a new vulnerable population for HBV, HCV and HIV infections. Providing a national-specific policy and strategy to improve the school attendance rate and create jobs with reasonable wages for hill tribe youths is urgently required to prepare and maintain them in their home setting, while effective health education and risk and sexual behavior change interventions are also needed.