The service aims to help curb the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among these populations. The rates of HIV infection, notably among the young MSM population in Thailand, are considerably higher than in the rest of the population. According to the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), an estimated 52 per cent of new HIV infections in Thailand in 2017 occurred in male-to-male sexual transmission. Health data also show a high HIV-prevalence among MSM in Bangkok, at 20 per cent in 2014, compared with just 1.1 per cent among adult population across Thailand. However, coverage of HIV testing remains low; UNAIDS data in 2015 estimating that only 31 per cent of MSM in Thailand knew their HIV status. The new online service Lovecare YM2M: Young Men Health Station http://ym2m.lovecarestation.com/ aims to reach young MSM and TGs who are considered at high risk of contracting HIV, for example those who have multiple partners, frequent unprotected sex, and sexual activities around MSM hotspots. “Thailand has been highly successful in reducing HIV transmission in recent decades. But HIV infections are still high among particular population groups. This is a major public health concern in Thailand today,” said Thomas Davin, Unicef Representative for Thailand at a press conference in Bangkok announcing the Lovecare YM2M service. “We need to do everything we can to give young people at risk the information and services they need to be able to protect themselves from HIV and STIs.” The YM2M online service offers real-time counselling… [Read full story]
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