Review on the association between social culture and HIV prevalence among MSM in China / 中华预防医学杂志

Social culture have significant influence on HIV transmission. Men who have sex with men (MSM), have their own sub-culture, by which made them very different with other population in social norm, behavior mode, as well as some HIV related behavior and the disease transmission risk. Up to date, study focused on the association between social culture and HIV transmission among MSM was limited, thus we reviewed relevant studies in the view of social culture and sub-culture of MSM, analyzed how social culture could potentially influence HIV transmission, and how sub-culture could affect MSM's friend-making, HIV risk behaviors in three aspects including social identity, social norm and social development. Furthermore, we provided some recommendations and suggestions on the future work.

Study on spousal notification in HIV discordant couples and associated factors in four provinces of China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was aimed to investigate the ways of spousal notification and its associated factors among HIV discordant couples.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted in Henan, Yunnan, Sichuan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China. Information including democratic characteristics, knowledge and behaviors correlated with HIV infections and ways of HIV infectious status notification was collected. 'Data information system' on AIDS prevention and control was used to collect information on the transmission route.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 770 pairs of HIV discordant couples were studied, among which 414 (53.77%) HIV positive respondents reported as self-notification, with another 44.68% were notified by medical staff. Factors associated with ways of notification included gender, nation, transmission route, and education level. HIV positive respondents who were female, under Han nationality, being paid blood donors, having had higher education level, were more likely to inform their HIV negative spouse by themselves.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nationality and HIV transmission route of the HIV positive individuals were found as significant factors associated with ways of spousal notification. Therefore, HIV discordant couples notification should be strengthened, especially in the Minority-living areas and areas where HIV transmission was predomint through sexual contact and/or via injected drug use.</p>

Prevalence of informing of HIV infection status during medical care seeking and influential factors among people living with HIV/AIDS / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the prevalence of informing doctors of the HIV infection status during medical care seeking and influential factors among people living with HIV/AIDS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study was conducted among people living with HIV/AIDS in 7 provinces in China, including those receiving HIV test, HIV counsel and HIV infection treatment. The data were analyzed with software SAS 9.2. Chi-square test was used to compare the informing rates in patients with different characteristics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the influential factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 2 432 HIV/AIDS patients, 49.7% (716/1 442) didn't inform the doctors of their HIV infection status actively. The non-active informing rate was 51.9% (559/1 077) in males, 62.9% (212/337) in age group 18-30 years old, 58.1% (555/955) in those with a educational level >primary school, 65.7% (241/367) in those working in private/joint companies or the self employed and 62.5% (197/315) in those living in small cities. The non active informing rate was highest in those infected through sexual contact (66.3%, 275/415). Multivariate logical regression analysis indicated that those infected through illegal blood donation would like to inform of the HIV infection status actively (OR=0.083, 95% CI: 0.049-0.141) , but those working in private/joint companies or the self employed would like not to inform of the HIV infection status actively (OR=1.531, 95% CI: 1.017-2.304).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The non active informing rate of HIV infection status was high in people living with HIV/AIDS. It is necessary to conduct the targeted health education to encourage people living with HIV/AIDS to inform of their HIV infection status actively.</p>

Prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis, sexual behaviors and awareness of HIV/AIDS related knowledge among men who have sex with men in China: a Meta-analysis of data collected from 2010 to 2013 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the time and area specific prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis, sexual behaviors and awareness of HIV/AIDS related knowledge among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the mainland of China during 2010-2013.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All the published academic papers on the prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis among MSM in the mainland of China from 2010 to 2013 were collected from CNKI, Wanfang and PubMed databases. Meta-analysis was performed by using software Stata 12.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty six papers were selected. From 2010 to 2013 the pooled prevalence of HIV infection were 7.7% among the MSM (95% CI: 7.2%-8.3% ) and increased year by year, but the pooled prevalence of HIV infection was highest in southwestern China (12.0%). The pooled prevalence of syphilis were 10.9% among the MSM (95% CI: 9.8%-12.1%), and the pooled prevalence of syphilis was highest in southern China (14.4%). The incidence of anal sex was high (84.2%) in the past 6 months, but the consistent condom use rate was low (44.8%). The AIDS related knowledge awareness was high in the MSM (88.4%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis were high among the MSM in the mainland of China during 2010-2013. It is necessary to explore the comprehensive intervention measures to promote condom use among MSM although they have high awareness of AIDS related knowledge.</p>