Abstract

Despite advancements in treatment and prevention, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) remain global public health issues. Nearly 40 years on, Thai business establishments are still facing adverse effects of the HIV epidemic. This study assessed HIV knowledge, transmission risk, stigma, and health behavior among a sample of 1,000 workers from the 2019 round of the Bangkok Behavioral Surveillance Survey (BBSS). Results indicate that most workers could identify common routes of HIV transmission but expressed stigmatizing attitudes. Overall, 13.1 and 19.3% had been tested for HIV and STI, respectively, 30.9% binge drank, 14.6% smoked cigarettes in the past month, and 21.6% used condoms consistently. Age, sex, marital status, education, economic status, peers, and level of stress were associated with HIV knowledge and health behavior. Based on the findings, tailored health educational interventions are needed to improve knowledge of HIV/STI, prevent STI, and promote sexual health-seeking behaviors including increasing uptake of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) in the workplace.

Key words: HIV knowledge, HIV testing, sexual behavior, stigma, STI screening, substance use.