Characteristics and influencing factors of heterosexual behavior among young men who have sex with men in Taizhou City from 2015 to 2018 / 中华疾病控制杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate characteristics and influencing factors of heterosexual behavior among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in Taizhou, and to provide evidence for conducting intervention on acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods The demographic characteristics, behavioral characteristics and AIDS related knowledge of YMSM in Taizhou were investigated by the method of questionnaire survey from January to July in 2015, February to September in 2016, January to August in 2017, and January to August in 2018. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis and hepatitis C virus (HCV) were tested in everyone. Results A total of 432 YMSM were recruited, including 56 YMSM who had heterosexual behavior. 14.3% of YMSM who had heterosexual behavior never used condoms when having heterosexual behavior. 26.8% did not use condoms when having the last heterosexual behavior. The detection rates of HIV and syphilis were both 5.4%. No HCV positive person was found. The awareness rate of AIDS related knowledge was 91.1%. In multivariate logistic regression, marital status and local residence time were influencing factors of heterosexual behavior among YMSM. Conclusions YMSM in Taizhou are at risk of spreading HIV and syphilis. Although the awareness rate of AIDS related knowledge is better, there are still high-risk behavior such as commercial sex behavior and knowledge-practice separation such as not using condoms. It is necessary to promote intervention activities for safe sexual behavior, especially among YMSM who are married and live in the local areas for less than 2 years.