ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the acceptability and influence factors of early antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) . METHODS: From June to August 2012, through convenience sampling, HIV-positive MSM who were willing to cooperate with the survey were selected from the Hangzhou and Ningbo AIDS prevention and control database. A total of 280 HIV-positive MSM who did not receive ART participated in the study.Using self-designed questionnaire, general demographic information, awareness of AIDS knowledge, sexual behavior, use of condom, current physical condition, awareness and attitude towards early ART were investigated.Excluding 60 HIV-infected MSM whose CD4(+)T count didn't meet the inclusion criteria, a total of 220 subjects were included in the analysis. Chi-square was used to compare the difference of early ART acceptance among subjects with different characteristics.Non-conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the influence factors of the acceptability of early ART. RESULTS: The acceptance rate of early ART among HIV-infected MSM was 62.7% (138/220). Delaying the disease development, preventing partners from infection, not worrying others to suspect them of having HIV, and partners unknowing the HIV-infected status were the factors which had a relatively higher acceptance rate of early ART. Correspondingly, the acceptance rate was 68.8% (130/189), 68.7% (103/150), 78.4% (69/88) and 72.5% (74/102) respectively and the acceptance rate among subjects with opposite opinions or characteristics was 24.1% (7/29) , 50.0% (30/60), 52.7% (68/129) and 45.8% (58/107) respectively (chi-square values were 21.46, 6.43, 14.84 7.55, all P values <0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that delaying the disease development (OR = 11.50, 95%CI:3.29-40.22) and preventing partners from infection (OR = 3.72, 95%CI:1.53-9.03) were inclined to the acceptance of early ATR.While concerning others' suspection of them having HIV (OR = 0.19, 95%CI:0.08-0.48) and partners knowing the HIV-infected status were inclined to unacceptance of ART(OR = 0.31, 95%CI:0.13-0.70). CONCLUSION: The acceptability of early ART among HIV-positive MSM is high. The recognition of early ART and concern of privacy leak are the major influence factors which can stimulate the acceptance of early ART.
