Background The trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation is an internationally recognized form of gender-based violence, and is thought to confer unique sexual and reproductive health vulnerabilities. To date, little research has compared sexual risk or health outcomes among female sex workers (FSWs) based on experiences of sex trafficking. The current study sought to compare experiences of sexual risk and sexual and reproductive health outcomes among FSWs based on experiences of trafficking as an entry mechanism to FSW. Methods Data from a national sample of FSWs in Thailand (n=815) to was used to assess a) the prevalence of sex trafficking as an entry mechanism into FSW, and b) associations of sex trafficking with sexual risk and health outcomes. Results Approximately 10% of FSWs met criteria for trafficking as an entry mechanism to sex work. Compared with their non-trafficked counterparts, sex trafficked FSWs were more likely to have experienced sexual violence at initiation to sex work (ARR 2.29, 95% CI 1.11, 4.72), recent workplace violence or mistreatment (ARR 1.38, 95% CI 1.13, 1.67), recent condom failure (ARR 1.80, 95% CI 1.15, 2.80), condom non-use (ARR 3.35, 95% CI 1.49, 7.52), and abortion (ARR 2.83, 95% CI 1.48, 5.39). Discussion Both the prevalence of sex trafficking as an entry mechanism to FSW, coupled with the threats to sexual and reproductive health observed based on trafficking status, demonstrate the need for comprehensive efforts to identify and support this vulnerable population. Moreover, existing STI/HIV prevention programming may be stymied by the limited condom use capacity, and high levels of violence observed among those trafficked into FSW.

Background/objectives Commercial sex work is widely recognized as a primary context for heterosexual transmission of HIV/AIDS in many regions, including Southeast Asia. While violence victimization is considered to compromise women’s ability to protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with female sex workers (FSWs) uniquely affected, little research has investigated the role of violence as it relates to sexual risk and STI outcomes among FSWs. The current study sought to compare experiences of sexual risk and STI symptoms among FSWs based on their recent exposure to violence. Methods Data from a national sample of FSWs in Thailand (n=815) was used to assess a) the prevalence of experiencing recent physical or sexual violence within the context of sex work, and b) associations of such victimization with sexual risk (i.e., anal sex, condom non-use, condom failure, client condom refusal) and self-reported STI symptoms. Results Approximately 1 in 7 FSWs (14.6%) had experienced physical or sexual violence in the week prior to the survey. As compared with their non-victimized counterparts, FSWs exposed to recent violence were at greater risk for recent condom failure (19.6% vs. 12.3%, ARR 1.92, 95% CI 1.24, 2.95) and client condom refusal (85.7% vs. 69.0%, ARR 1.24, 95% CI 1.14, 1.35). In analyses adjusted for sexual risk, violence related to both STI symptoms collectively (ARR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02, 1.21) and genital lesions as an individual STI symptom (ARR 1.78, 95% CI 1.20, 2.66). Conclusion Physical and sexual violence against FSWs in Thailand appears to be a common experience, with victims of such violence demonstrating diminished capacity for STI/HIV harm reduction and greater prevalence of STI symptoms. Comprehensive efforts to reduce violence towards this vulnerable population must be prioritized, as a means of protecting the human rights of FSWs, and as a key component of STI/HIV prevention and control.

Introduction Strategies are needed to curb the increasing HIV incidence in young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and transgender women (YTGW) worldwide. We assessed the impact of youth‐friendly services (YFS) and a mobile phone application (app) on adherence to pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in YMSM and YTGW in Thailand. Methods A randomized control trial was conducted in YMSM and YTGW aged 15 to 19 years. Participants were provided daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumerate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC), condoms and randomized to receive either YFS or YFS plus a PrEP app (YFS + APP), whose features included self‐assessment of HIV acquisition risk, point rewards and reminders for PrEP and clinic appointments. Clinic visits occurred at zero, one, three and six months and telephone contact at two, four and five months. HIV testing was performed at every clinic visit. PrEP adherence was evaluated with intracellular tenofovir diphosphate (TFV‐DP) concentrations in dried blood spot (DBS) samples at months 3 and 6. The primary endpoint assessed was “PrEP adherence” defined as TFV‐DP DBS concentrations ≥700 fmol/punch (equivalent to ≥4 doses of TDF/week). Results Between March 2018 and June 2019, 489 adolescents were screened at three centres in Bangkok. Twenty‐seven (6%) adolescents tested positive for HIV and 200 (41%) adolescents participated in the study. Of these, 147 were YMSM (74%) and 53 YTGW (26%). At baseline, median age was 18 years (IQR 17 to 19), 66% reported inconsistent condom use in the past month. Sexually transmitted infection prevalence was 23%. Retention at six months was 73%. In the YFS + APP arm, median app use duration was three months (IQR 1 to 5). PrEP adherence at month 3 was 51% in YFS and 54% in YFS + APP (p‐value 0.64) and at month 6 was 44% in YFS and 49% in YFS + APP (p‐value 0.54). No HIV seroconversions occurred during 75 person years of follow‐up. Conclusions Youth‐friendly PrEP services enabled good adherence among half of adolescent PrEP users. However, the mobile phone application tested did not provide additional PrEP adherence benefit in this randomized trial. Adolescent risk behaviours are dynamic and require adaptive programmes that focus on “prevention‐effective adherence.”

Introduction: PrEP awareness and uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TG) in Thailand remains low. Finding ways to increase HIV testing and PrEP uptake among high-risk groups is a critical priority. This study evaluates the effect of a novel Adam’s Love Online-to-Offline (O2O) model on PrEP and HIV testing uptake among Thai MSM and TG and identifies factors associated with PrEP uptake. Methods: The O2O model was piloted by Adam’s Love (www.adamslove.org) HIV educational and counselling website. MSM and TG reached online by PrEP promotions and interested in free PrEP and/or HIV testing services contacted Adam’s Love online staff, received real-time PrEP eCounseling, and completed online bookings for receiving services at one of the four sites in Bangkok based on their preference. Auto-generated site- and service-specific e-tickets and Quick Response (QR) codes were sent to their mobile devices enabling monitoring and check-in by offline site staff. Service uptake and participant’s socio-demographic and risk behaviour characteristics were analyzed. Factors associated with PrEP uptake were assessed using multiple logistic regression. Results: Between January 10th and April 11th, 2016, Adam’s Love reached 272,568 people online via the PrEP O2O promotions. 425 MSM and TG received eCounseling and e-tickets. There were 325 (76.5%) MSM and TG who checked-in at clinics and received HIV testing. Nine (2.8%) were diagnosed with HIV infection. Median (IQR) time between receiving the e-ticket and checking-in was 3 (0–7) days. Of 316 HIV-negative MSM and TG, 168 (53.2%) started PrEP. In a multivariate model, higher education (OR 2.30, 95%CI 1.14–4.66; p = 0.02), seeking sex partners online (OR 2.05, 95%CI 1.19–3.54; p = 0.009), being aware of sexual partners’ HIV status (OR 2.37, 95%CI 1.29–4.35; p = 0.008), ever previously using post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) (OR 2.46, 95%CI 1.19–5.09; p = 0.01), and enrolment at Adam’s Love clinic compared to the other three sites (OR 3.79, 95%CI 2.06–6.95; p < 0.001) were independently associated with PrEP uptake. Conclusions: Adam’s Love O2O model is highly effective in linking online at-risk MSM and TG to PrEP and HIV testing services, and has high potential to be replicated and scaled up in other settings with high Internet penetration among key populations.

IntroductionHIV epidemics in the Asia-Pacific region are concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and other key populations. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention intervention and could be a potential game changer in the region. We discuss the progress towards PrEP implementation in the Asia-Pacific region, including opportunities and barriers.DiscussionAwareness about PrEP in the Asia-Pacific is still low and so are its levels of use. A high proportion of MSM who are aware of PrEP are willing to use it. Key PrEP implementation barriers include poor knowledge about PrEP, limited access to PrEP, weak or non-existent HIV prevention programmes for MSM and other key populations, high cost of PrEP, stigma and discrimination against key populations and restrictive laws in some countries. Only several clinical trials, demonstration projects and a few larger-scale implementation studies have been implemented so far in Thailand and Australia. However, novel approaches to PrEP implementation have emerged: researcher-, facility- and community-led models of care, with PrEP services for fee and for free. The WHO consolidated guidelines on HIV testing, treatment and prevention call for an expanded access to PrEP worldwide and have provided guidance on PrEP implementation in the region. Some countries like Australia have released national PrEP guidelines. There are growing community leadership and consultation processes to initiate PrEP implementation in Asia and the Pacific.ConclusionsCountries of the Asia-Pacific region will benefit from adding PrEP to their HIV prevention packages, but for many this is a critical step that requires resourcing. Having an impact on the HIV epidemic requires investment. The next years should see the region transitioning from limited PrEP implementation projects to growing access to PrEP and expansion of HIV prevention programmes.