Penile oil injection, penile implantation and condom use among Myanmar migrant fishermen in Ranong, Thailand

Abstract

Background: The present study describes sexual risk behaviours including penile oil injection and implantation among migrant Myanmar fishermen in Thailand, and their determinants. Methods: A cross-sectional survey among 639 Myanmar fishermen in Ranong, Thailand was conducted in 1999 following in-depth interviews. Results: Prevalence of penile oil injection, penile implantation, and both practices were 48 (7.5%), 79 (12.4%) and nine (1.4%) respectively. Over one-third (38.6%) of those who had injected oil had various kinds of problems during sex. One-year period prevalence of sex with commercial sex workers (CSW) was higher in those with unusual practices than others (61.9% v. 22.8%, P < 0.0001). The condom use rate with CSW at all times was non-significantly lower among those with unusual practices (32.9%) than others (44.5%). From multivariate analysis, oil injections are associated with young age, low education, ethnicity, and longer stay in Thailand, whereas the duration of stay in Thailand is the only factor associated with the practice of penile implantation. Both oil injection (odds ratio 3.03, 95% confidence interval 1.39–6.60), and penile implantation (odds ratio 2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.19–3.99) have independent predictive risk of having sex with CSW in addition to other factors (younger age, single, and Walat boat type). Conclusion: These exorbitant practices were common, associated with not using condoms and probably resulted from the working environment in Thailand. Further study is needed to reduce this risk behaviour.