Human immunodeficiency virus prevention strategies in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

This paper reviews the current epidemics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in China, particularly the globally available prevention strategies developed and implemented. This review focuses on HIV prevention measures in general, such as education, testing, and counseling and in specific responses to transmission modes, such as blood safety, harm reduction for people who inject drugs, and condom promotion to reduce sexual transmission. We also assess newly developed prevention measures, such as prevention treatment, pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis, male circumcision, and promising potential future preventions, including microbicides and vaccines. Based on this assessment, we provide recommendations for their implementation in China. We conclude that there is no magic bullet for HIV prevention, particularly sexual transmission of the disease, but only a combination of these prevention strategies can control the HIV epidemic.

Factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse among male students who have sex with men in three Northern regions of China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) has previously been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Male students who have sex with men (SMSM) are at increased exposure to experience UAI. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of UAI and related factors among SMSM in three northern regions of China.@*Methods@#From November 2018 to January 2019, SMSM, 18 years or older, studying or living in Beijing, Tianjin, or Shijiazhuang, who had anal sex in the past 6 months were recruited by community-based organizations to participate in an unmatched, casecontrol study. Detailed demographic and behavioral information were collected via self-administrated electronic questionnaires and factors related to UAI were assessed using uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses.@*Results@#Among the 511 SMSM included in the study, 210 (41.1%) reported UAI in the past 6 months. SMSM who had sexual partners at least 10 years older than themselves (odds ratio [OR] = 2.277, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.380–3.756), used vacant capsules before sexual activity (OR = 3.858, 95% CI: 1.472–10.106), had a self-perceived moderate-HIV risk (OR = 2.128, 95% CI: 1.403–3.227), and unprotected, first anal intercourse (OR = 2.236, 95% CI: 1.506–3.320) had increased odds of UAI.@*Conclusions@#Factors associated with increased odds of engaging in UAI in the past 6 months among SMSM included having older sexual partners, using vacant capsules, having a self-perceived moderate risk of HIV, and unprotected, first anal intercourse. Continuing education on risk reduction, including improving condom decision making in age-discordant relationships could help address the sexual risk behaviors among SMSM.

HIV care continuum among newly diagnosed student and non-student youths between 2012 and 2016 in Hangzhou, China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Youths are disproportionally affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We aimed to assess antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and viral suppression rates among student and non-student youths in Hangzhou, China.@*Methods@#Data were taken from the Chinese HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome Comprehensive Response Information Management System. Youths aged 15 to 24 years who were newly diagnosed with HIV between 2012 and 2016 and were living in Hangzhou were included in the study. Comparisons between student and non-student youths were made for ART initiation within 30 days, 90 days, and 12 months of HIV diagnosis, and the viral suppression rate at 12 months of HIV diagnosis and at 12 months of ART initiation.@*Results@#A total of 707 cases met inclusion criteria, 29.6% of which were students and 70.4% were non-student youths. The student group had a higher proportion of ART initiation compared with the non-student group within 30 days of diagnosis (45.5% vs. 37.0%, P = 0.044), and a slightly higher but not statistically significant proportion at 90 days (67.0% vs. 62.7%), and 12 months (83.7% vs. 78.5%) of HIV diagnosis. ART initiation within 30 days improved from <15% in 2012 to over 65% in 2016 in both groups, and ART initiation within 90 days improved from <30% in 2012 to >90% in 2016. A smaller proportion of students experienced viral suppression compared with the non-student group (9.6% vs. 17.1%, P = 0.011) at 12 months after HIV diagnosis, but the suppression rate was similar at 12 months of ART initiation (69.9% vs. 71.1%, P = 0.743).@*Conclusions@#ART initiation in both student and non-student youths has significantly improved between 2012 and 2016. However, the viral suppression rate remained unacceptably low at 12 months of HIV diagnosis in both student and non-student groups. Specific intervention strategies must be taken to address this challenge.

HIV care continuum among newly diagnosed student and non-student youths between 2012 and 2016 in Hangzhou, China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Youths are disproportionally affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We aimed to assess anti-retroviral therapy (ART) initiation and viral suppression rates among student and non-student youths in Hangzhou, China.@*METHODS@#Data were taken from the Chinese HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome Comprehensive Response Information Management System. Youths aged 15 to 24 years who were newly diagnosed with HIV between 2012 and 2016 and were living in Hangzhou were included in the study. Comparisons between student and non-student youths were made for ART initiation within 30 days, 90 days, and 12 months of HIV diagnosis, and the viral suppression rate at 12 months of HIV diagnosis and at 12 months of ART initiation.@*RESULTS@#A total of 707 cases met inclusion criteria, 29.6% of which were students and 70.4% were non-student youths. The student group had a higher proportion of ART initiation compared with the non-student group within 30 days of diagnosis (45.5% vs. 37.0%, P = 0.044), and a slightly higher but not statistically significant proportion at 90 days (67.0% vs. 62.7%), and 12 months (83.7% vs. 78.5%) of HIV diagnosis. ART initiation within 30 days improved from 90% in 2016. A smaller proportion of students experienced viral suppression compared with the non-student group (9.6% vs. 17.1%, P = 0.011) at 12 months after HIV diagnosis, but the suppression rate was similar at 12 months of ART initiation (69.9% vs. 71.1%, P = 0.743).@*CONCLUSIONS@#ART initiation in both student and non-student youths has significantly improved between 2012 and 2016. However, the viral suppression rate remained unacceptably low at 12 months of HIV diagnosis in both student and non-student groups. Specific intervention strategies must be taken to address this challenge.

Factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse among male students who have sex with men in three Northern regions of China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) has previously been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Male students who have sex with men (SMSM) are at increased exposure to experience UAI. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of UAI and related factors among SMSM in three northern regions of China.@*METHODS@#From November 2018 to January 2019, SMSM, 18 years or older, studying or living in Beijing, Tianjin, or Shijiazhuang, who had anal sex in the past 6 months were recruited by community-based organizations to participate in an unmatched, case-control study. Detailed demographic and behavioral information were collected via self-administrated electronic questionnaires and factors related to UAI were assessed using uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses.@*RESULTS@#Among the 511 SMSM included in the study, 210 (41.1%) reported UAI in the past 6 months. SMSM who had sexual partners at least 10 years older than themselves (odds ratio [OR] = 2.277, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.380-3.756), used vacant capsules before sexual activity (OR = 3.858, 95% CI: 1.472-10.106), had a self-perceived moderate-HIV risk (OR = 2.128, 95% CI: 1.403-3.227), and unprotected, first anal intercourse (OR = 2.236, 95% CI: 1.506-3.320) had increased odds of UAI.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Factors associated with increased odds of engaging in UAI in the past 6 months among SMSM included having older sexual partners, using vacant capsules, having a self-perceived moderate risk of HIV, and unprotected, first anal intercourse. Continuing education on risk reduction, including improving condom decision making in age-discordant relationships could help address the sexual risk behaviors among SMSM.