Correlates of Inconsistent Condom use During Sexual Intercourse among Hijra and Transgender Population in India: Evidence from National Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance 2014–15

Abstract Introduction: The hijra and transgender (H/TG) group is vulnerable to HIV and this is the cause of concern in India. Therefore, this paper aims to assess the correlates of inconsistent condom use (ICU) during sexual intercourse among H/TG in India. Method: We analyzed the secondary H/TG data from the National Integrated Behavioral and Biological Survey (IBBS), 2014–2015. To evaluate the correlates of inconsistent condom usage during sexual intercourse among H/TG people in India, unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval, were calculated using univariate, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of ICU, among H/TG was found to be 45.35%. The odds of ICU were significantly higher, among those who had their first sexual intercourse at an age less than 18 years (aOR: 4.68, 95% CI: 2.57–8.53), aged between 18 to 24 years (aOR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.76–5.91) and who did not know the age of first sexual intercourse (aOR: 5.34, 95% CI: 2.89–9.87) as compared to those who have had first sexual intercourse at the age of 25 years or more. H/TG, who had regular non-paying male partners had significantly higher odds (aOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.27–1.72) of ICU than those who did not have regular non-paying male partners. Conclusions: Among the characteristics linked to inconsistent condom usage among H/TG in India were physical violence, alcohol consumption, first sexual experience at a younger age, sexual contact with a frequent non-paying partner, and age more than 35.