Acceptability of testing for anorectal sexually transmitted infections and self-collected anal swabs in female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender women in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

According to latest World Health Organisation data, in 2012 alone, there were an estimated 357 million new global cases of curable STIs (including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis, for example), 142 million of which were in the Western Pacific Region [1]. In PNG, transgender women advocate change with men who have sex with men, and there is one shared peer-led civil society representing both populations. [...]with their approval, transgender women and men who have sex with men were involved in one focus group discussion. In addition to the quotes from female sex workers in the previous section, transgender women explained that they would prefer to seek assistance from a male health worker. Because for the women, for us to come and access the service and talk to the women, we would feel like, because they are real girls, we feel ashamed. [...]we illustrate that given the correct research design and safe research settings, research participants can be encouraged to provide deep narratives about taboo issues that are often perceived as being too sensitive to discuss.