Selective disclosure of HIV status in egocentric support networks of people living with HIV/AIDS.

The objective of this study was to investigate HIV disclosure activities in social support networks of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). An egocentric network study was conducted in Nanning, China. A sample of 147 PLWHAs (egos) nominated 922 network members (alters) who would provide egos with social support. All egos disclosed their HIV status to at least one alter in their support networks and 26.5 % disclosed to all alters. Among network alters, 95.7 % of spouse alters, 59.9 % of other family member alters, and 29.7 % of friend alters were aware of egos' HIV status. PLWHA egos were more likely to disclose their HIV status to their spouse and other family members, frequently-contacted alters, and alters who provided more social support. In addition, older egos and unmarried egos were more likely to disclose their HIV status. The findings indicate that network-based HIV intervention programs should take into consideration selective disclosure in social networks.

Psychological Impacts among Older and Younger People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nanning, China.

Objectives. The HIV epidemic has drastically increased among older adults in China, yet little research has examined the psychological impacts among older and younger people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). This study examined and compared self-efficacy, depression, well-being, and quality of life among older and younger PLWHAs in China. Method. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to recruit a final sample of 148 participants. Older adults were defined as age 50 and older. Result. Compared to younger PLWHAs aged 18-49 years old, older PLWHAs reported lower levels of well-being (7.6 versus 11.4), higher levels of depression (18.6 versus 15.8), and poorer quality of life. Self-efficacy was similar among older (23.9) and younger (24.6) PLWHAs. A higher level of depression among older PLWHAs was associated with much lower levels of subjective well-being and quality of life (physical health and psychological health). Conclusion. The findings suggest that older PLWHAs face psychological problems and mental health challenges beyond those experienced by younger PLWHAs. Intervention programs dedicated to improving mental health and quality of life are greatly needed for HIV infected older adults.

Collectivism culture, HIV stigma and social network support in Anhui, China: a path analytic model.

HIV stigma is rooted in culture and, therefore, it is essential to investigate it within the context of culture. The objective of this study was to examine the interrelationships among individualism-collectivism, HIV stigma, and social network support. A social network study was conducted among 118 people living with HIVAIDS in China, who were infected by commercial plasma donation, a nonstigmatized behavior. The Individualism-Collectivism Interpersonal Assessment Inventory (ICIAI) was used to measure cultural norms and values in the context of three social groups, family members, friends, and neighbors. Path analyses revealed (1) a higher level of family ICIAI was significantly associated with a higher level of HIV self-stigma (ß=0.32); (2) a higher level of friend ICIAI was associated with a lower level of self-stigma (ß=-035); (3) neighbor ICIAI was associated with public stigma (ß=-0.61); (4) self-stigman was associated with social support from neighbors (ß=-0.27); and (5) public stigma was associated with social support from neighbors (ß=-0.24). This study documents that HIV stigma may mediate the relationship between collectivist culture and social network support, providing an empirical basis for interventions to include aspects of culture into HIV intervention strategies.

Typology of older female sex workers and sexual risk for HIV infection in China: a qualitative study.

The HIV epidemic continues to develop among older adults in China, including older female sex workers. Yet, few studies have been conducted among this relatively hidden population. The objectives of this study were to investigate the reasons for women's entry into sex work during their 30s and to develop typology of older women sex workers. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 63 older women sex workers and six focus-group interviews with stakeholders in three cities in China in 2012. Data were analysed inductively using constant comparative method. The mean age of participants was 43 years and the mean age of entry into sex work was 39 years. The primary reasons for entry into sex work included heavy economic burdens, limited employment opportunities and the appealing nature of sex work. Street-based and venue-based older sex workers were identified based on where they solicited clients. Street-based older sex workers were more likely to engage in unsafe commercial sex due to financial incentives, whereas those in entertainment venues were unlikely to use condoms with regular clients. The development of effective HIV interventions needs to consider older women sex worker's unique characteristics and target factors that impede safer-sex practices.

Incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in patients on hemodialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hepatitis C virus infection is a perennial concern for hemodialysis units because the prevalence of hepatitis C is significantly higher there than in the general population. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to assess the incidence rate of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis units and explore its potential risk factors. Five electronic databases were used to search articles from 1990 to 2012, including PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang. A random-effects analysis was used to estimate the overall incidence rate of hepatitis C virus infection. A subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis were conducted to explore factors associated with heterogeneity between studies. Twenty-two eligible articles were found, including 23 incidence rate estimates. The overall incidence rate of hepatitis C virus infection was 1.47 per 100 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14 to 1.80). In the subgroup analysis, the pooled incidence rate was 4.44 (CI 2.65, 6.23) per 100 patient-years in the developing world and 0.99 (CI 0.66, 1.29) per 100 patient-years in the developed world. [Correction added on 2 November 2012, after first online publication: Pooled incidence rate in the developed world has been changed.] In addition, in hemodialysis units with higher prevalence, the incidence rate of hepatitis C virus infection also tended to be higher. Meta-regression analysis showed that the country's development level and initial HCV prevalence combined could explain 67.91% of the observed heterogeneity. The incidence rate of hepatitis C virus infection among patients on hemodialysis was significantly high. Efforts should be taken to control hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis units, especially in developing countries.

HIV incidence and associated risk factors among female sex workers in a high HIV-prevalence area of China.

BACKGROUND: Heterosexual sex is replacing injection drug use as the main mode of HIV transmission in China. The objective of this study is to determine HIV incidence and associated risk factors among female sex workers (FSWs) in China. METHODS: From March 2006 to November 2009, FSWs in Kaiyuan City, Yunnan were recruited into an open cohort study. Participants were interviewed and tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections every 6 months. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model with time-dependent variables was used to measure associations between independent variables and HIV seroconversion. RESULTS: During 3.5 years of follow-up, 19 incident cases of HIV infection were diagnosed, yielding an overall incidence of 1.44 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87-2.24). In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model, noninjection drug use (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]: 6.7, 95% CI: 2.25-19.93), inconsistent condom use with clients in the previous week (AHR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.03-8.34), and number of clients in the previous week ≥7 (AHR: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.81-13.13) were all independent risk factors for HIV seroconversion. CONCLUSION: These results underscore the urgency for preventive interventions on sexual and drug use behaviors among FSWs, including condom promotion as well as sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment.

Tracking the evolution of HIV/AIDS in China from 1989-2009 to inform future prevention and control efforts.

BACKGROUND: To determine policy implications, this analysis tracks the evolution of HIV/AIDS infection across China to understand current trends and potential risk factors. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A retrospective study with spatial analytical model and multilevel spatial models was conducted among 326,157 HIV/AIDS cases reported from 1989-2009. The results indicate that the distribution of HIV/AIDS was clustered at the county level with different directional distributions across China from 2003 to 2009. Compared to 2003, by 2009 there was a 122% increase in HIV cases among rural residents, 294% increase among urban residents, 211% increase among migrants, and 237% increase among permanent residents. The overall proportion of HIV by different routes of transmission showed dramatic changes with a 504% increase in sexual transmission of HIV, 90% decrease in blood/plasma transmission, and 35% decrease in injecting drug user transmission. Sexual transmission was the major transmission route among women (44%) and the elderly (59% in men, 44% in women) as well as among permanent (36%) and urban residents (33%). Among those <65 years old, women increased more than men, but among those ≥ 65 years, men increased more than women. Migrants contributed to the variance of HIV infection between counties but not within counties. The length of highway and urbanization combined with illiteracy were risk factors for HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Rates of HIV/AIDS among permanent urban residents, particularly women and elderly men, have increased significantly in recent years. To prevent HIV from spreading further among the general population, additional attention should be paid to these populations as well as to migrants.

Heterosexual risk of HIV infection in China: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Heterosexual sex has become the dominant transmission route in China. Recently studies reported high heterogeneity in heterosexual transmission risk in resource-limited countries. The aim of this study was to summarize the risk of HIV transmission among Chinese serodiscordant couples. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies of heterosexual HIV transmission among serodiscordant couples in China was conducted. Two reviewers conducted a literature search using the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Medical Current Contents (CMCC), and Medline databases. Pooled transmission estimates per 100 person-years (PY) were calculated using a random-effects model. Meta-regression analysis and subgroup analysis stratified by study design, transmission direction and period of antiretroviral therapy (ART) availability were conducted to assess the factors associated with transmission. RESULTS: Eleven eligible studies were identified reporting on 11 984 couples and 405 HIV transmission events. HIV transmission risk from HIV-positive individuals to heterosexual partners was 1.68 (95%CI 0.74 - 2.62) per 100 PY. Study design did not reach statistical significance in meta-regression analysis. The pooled female-to-male transmission estimate was 1.11 (95%CI 0.09 - 2.14) per 100 PY and male-to-female transmission estimate was 1.43 (95%CI 0.19 - 2.68) per 100 PY. The pooled estimate for those before the availability of the Chinese National Free Antiretroviral Therapy Program (2.13 (95%CI 0.00 - 4.63) per 100 PY) was higher than that for those after the implementation of this program (1.44 (95%CI 0.62 - 2.26) per 100 PY). CONCLUSIONS: Transmission estimates in China were lower than other developing countries, but higher than developed countries. Research that better defines HIV secondary transmission rates and the associated behavioral, treatment adherence, and health-related risk factors among heterosexual serodiscordant couples in China is needed.

Knowledge of HIV seropositivity is a predictor for initiation of illicit drug use: incidence of drug use initiation among female sex workers in a high HIV-prevalence area of China.

BACKGROUND: Drug use and sex work have had facilitative roles in the transmission of HIV/AIDS in China. Stopping drug use among sex workers may help to control the growth of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among Chinese sex workers. METHODS: From March 2006 to November 2009, female sex workers (FSW) in Kaiyuan City, Yunnan, China were recruited into an open cohort study. Participants were interviewed and tested for drug use and HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence. Follow-up surveys were conducted every six months. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model with time dependent variables was used to measure the associations between independent variables and drug initiation. RESULTS: During the course of the study, 66 (8.8%) FSWs initiated drug use yielding an overall incidence of 6.0 per 100 person years (PY) (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.67-7.58). In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model, being HIV-positive and aware of positive serostatus (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 2.6, 95% CI 1.24-5.55), age at initiation of commercial sex work <20 years (AHR 1.8, 95% CI 1.12-3.01), and working in a high-risk establishment (AHR 1.9, 95% CI 1.14-3.04) were associated with illicit drug initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Being HIV-positive and aware of positive serostatus was the most salient predictor for the initiation of illicit drug use. Interventions offering sources of education, treatment, support, and counseling to HIV-positive FSWs need to be implemented in order to help promote self-efficacy and safe behaviors among this group of high-risk women.

[Study on the feasibility and related factors on semen samples from condoms, collected from sexual partners of and by the female sex workers for HIV-antibody testing].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and related factors of using semen samples from condoms collected by their female sex workers (FSWs) for HIV-antibody testing. METHODS: FSWs were recruited by outreach workers. Semen samples from condoms of their sexual partners (paid or regular) were collected by FSWs themselves after intercourse and for HIV testing. Male partners were asked to participate in the study. Questionnaires were administered for both FSWs and heir male sexual partners. Blood samples were also collected for HIV testing. RESULTS: In total, 54 FSWs with 43 of their regular sexual partners and 57 casual clients were recruited. HIV prevalence, determined from serum samples, were 33.33% among FSWs, 29.82% and 23.26% among their clients and regular sexual partners. 40.35% and 30.23% of the semen samples from the condoms they used, were tested positive for HIV among clients and regular sexual partners of the FSWs. The sensitivity of semen samples from condoms for HIV-antibodies was 100% among both clients and regular sexual partners of the FSWs, while the rates of specificity were 85.00% and 90.91% respectively. Data from Univariate analysis indicated that among FSWs, factors as the characteristics of self-reported needle sharing and the male sexual partners who had one child, were associated with the disparity between serum and condom semen sample for HIV-antibody testing. CONCLUSION: HIV prevalence in male clients and regular sexual partners of the FSWs might be overestimated according to the HIV-antibody testing results of semen samples from condoms collected by FSWs themselves. Lower specificity indicated that FSWs with positive HIV might have contaminated the semen samples from the condom used by their HIV negative sexual partners.