Using HIV Risk Self-Assessment Tools to Increase HIV Testing in Men Who Have Sex With Men in Beijing, China: App-Based Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) in China hold a low-risk perception of acquiring HIV. This has resulted in an inadequate HIV testing rate. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate whether administering HIV risk self-assessments with tailored feedback on a gay geosocial networking (GSN) app could improve HIV testing rates and reduce sexual risk behaviors in Chinese MSM. METHODS: We recruited MSM from Beijing, China, who used the GSN platform Blued in October 2017 in this 12-month double-blinded randomized controlled trial. From October 2017 to September 2018, eligible participants were randomly assigned to use a self-reported HIV risk assessment tool that provided tailored feedback according to transmission risk (group 1), access to the same HIV risk assessment without feedback (group 2), or government-recommended HIV education materials (control). All interventions were remotely delivered through the mobile phone-based app Blued, and participants were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months from baseline. The number of HIV tests over the 12-month study was the primary outcome and was assessed using an intention-to-treat analysis with an incident rate ratio (IRR). Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) over 6 months was assessed by a modified intention-to-treat analysis and was the secondary outcome. All statistical analyses were conducted in SAS 9.3 (SAS Institute, Inc.), and a P value <.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In total, 9280 MSM were recruited from baseline and were randomly assigned to group 1 (n=3028), group 2 (n=3065), or controls (n=3187). After follow-up, 1034 (34.1%), 993 (32.4%), and 1103 (34.6%) remained in each group, respectively. Over 12 months, group 1 took 391 tests (mean of 2.51 tests per person), group 2 took 352 tests (mean of 2.01 tests per person), and controls took 295 tests (mean of 1.72 tests per person). Group 1 had significantly more HIV testing than the control group (IRR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09-4.58; P=.01), while group 2 did not differ significantly from the controls (IRR 1.06, 95% CI 0.86-1.30; P=.60). The proportion of UAI was not statistically different among different groups, but all 3 groups had UAI, which declined from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated HIV risk assessments coupled with tailored feedback through GSN apps improved HIV testing. Such interventions should be considered a simple way of improving HIV testing among MSM in China and increasing awareness of HIV status. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03320239; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03320239.

Using Electronic Medical Record Data for Research in a Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) Stage 7 Hospital in Beijing: Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: With the proliferation of electronic medical record (EMR) systems, there is an increasing interest in utilizing EMR data for medical research; yet, there is no quantitative research on EMR data utilization for medical research purposes in China. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand how and to what extent EMR data are utilized for medical research purposes in a Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) Stage 7 hospital in Beijing, China. Obstacles and issues in the utilization of EMR data were also explored to provide a foundation for the improved utilization of such data. METHODS: For this descriptive cross-sectional study, cluster sampling from Xuanwu Hospital, one of two Stage 7 hospitals in Beijing, was conducted from 2016 to 2019. The utilization of EMR data was described as the number of requests, the proportion of requesters, and the frequency of requests per capita. Comparisons by year, professional title, and age were conducted by double-sided chi-square tests. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2019, EMR data utilization was poor, as the proportion of requesters was 5.8% and the frequency was 0.1 times per person per year. The frequency per capita gradually slowed and older senior-level staff more frequently used EMR data compared with younger staff. CONCLUSIONS: The value of using EMR data for research purposes is not well studied in China. More research is needed to quantify to what extent EMR data are utilized across all hospitals in Beijing and how these systems can enhance future studies. The results of this study also suggest that young doctors may be less exposed or have less reason to access such research methods.

Analysis of hospitalization expenses of 610 HIV/AIDS patients in Nantong, China.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to describe the expenses related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) management and care in Nantong Infectious Disease Hospital from October 2013 through June 2017. METHODS: The information of 610 HIV/AIDS inpatients were collected from the Electronic Medical Record System of the hospital. Univariate and path analysis were employed to evaluate the association between hospitalization expense and its related factors. RESULTS: The average hospitalization expenses per person was 5454 RMB (Renminbi, the currency of China, about $808 USD) and 23,555 RMB (about $3489 USD), respectively for HIV/AIDS patients. The average length of hospital stay was 10.0 ± 5.5 days for HIV patients and 21.7 ± 12.4 days for AIDS patients. For HIV patients, laboratory test fees constituted 37.46% of total expenses; while drug fees accounted for the largest proportion for AIDS patients. Path analysis indicated that the length of hospital stay was the most important factor affecting total expenses (total path coefficient = 0.563 for HIV patients and 0.649 for AIDS patients). Total expenses for HIV-infected females was higher than that of males (total path coefficient = 0.217), and the more complications led to higher expenses for AIDS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Though antiretroviral therapy (ART) is provided for free in China, associated medical care, particularly hospitalizations and fees, continue to drive up the medical costs of patients living with HIV and AIDS. Understanding the factors influencing these costs are crucial for determining policies and strategies that can reduce the economic burden of HIV/AIDS patients in China.

Effect of a multi-dimensional case management model on anti-retroviral therapy-related outcomes among people living with human immunodeficiency virus in Beijing, China.

BACKGROUND: This paper introduces a comprehensive case management model uniting doctors, nurses, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to shorten the time from HIV diagnosis to initiation of antiviral therapy, improve patients' adherence, and ameliorate antiretroviral treatment (ART)-related outcomes. METHODS: All newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases at Beijing YouAn Hospital from January 2012 to December 2013 were selected as the control group, while all newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients from January 2015 to December 2016 were selected as the intervention group, receiving the comprehensive case management model. RESULTS: 4906 patients were enrolled, of which 1549 were in the control group and 3357 in the intervention group. The median time from confirming HIV infection to ART initiation in the intervention group was 35 (18-133) days, much shorter than the control group (56 (26-253) days, P < 0.001). Participants in the intervention group had better ART adherence compared to those in the control group (intervention: 95.3%; control: 89.2%; p < 0.001). During the 2 years' follow-up, those receiving case management were at decreased odds of experiencing virological failure (OR: 0.27, 95%CI: 0.17-0.42, P < 0.001). Observed mortality was 0.4 deaths per 100 patient-years of follow-up for patients in the control group compared with 0.2 deaths per 100 patient-years of follow-up in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: People living with HIV engaged in the comprehensive case management model were more likely to initiate ART sooner and maintained better treatment compliance and improved clinical outcomes compared to those who received routine care. A comprehensive case management program could be implemented in hospitals across China in order to reduce the HIV disease burden in the country.

Human immunodeficiency virus prevention strategies in China.

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.

A community-based comprehensive intervention to reduce syphilis infection among low-fee female sex workers in China: a matched-pair, community-based randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Low-fee female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of acquiring and spreading human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in China. There is an urgent need to develop comprehensive intervention measures targeted towards low-fee FSWs to reduce HIV/STD infections. Thus, this study aimed to reduce HIV/STD infections among low-fee FSW through a matched-pair, community-based randomized intervention trial carried out in 12 cities in three provinces in China. METHODS: Four cities from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, four from Yunnan Province, and four from Hunan Province were paired and participants received either the intervention package (including condom promotion, HIV and syphilis testing, reimbursement for syphilis treatment costs, and free anti-retroviral therapy or the current standard of care. Venue-based, convenience sampling was used to recruit FSWs. A face-to-face interview and HIV and syphilis blood testing was conducted at baseline and follow-up intervals of 24 months. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention package on reducing HIV/STD infection in the FSWs. RESULTS: A total of 1024 eligible FSWs were enrolled in the baseline survey and 843 in the follow-up. GLMM results showed that syphilis infection was reduced by 49% in the intervention group compared to the current standard of care group (P = 0.0378, OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.27-0.96). FSWs aged 35 years or older were 2.38 times more likely to get syphilis infection compared to those younger than 35 years old (P <  0.0001, OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.55-3.65). The risk of syphilis infection among more educated FSWs was 0.43 times less than those with lower levels of education (P <  0.05, OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.63-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that comprehensive interventions can lead to significant declines in syphilis infection amongst low-tier FSWs. Integrating both behavioral and biomedical intervention measures should be considered when developing programs for low-fee FSWs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CHiCTR-TRC-12002655.

History of the HIV Epidemic in China.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This study aims to review the history of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection epidemic in China. RECENT FINDINGS: The HIV infection epidemic in China has evolved significantly over the past 35 years, from initially exclusively within people who inject drugs (PWID), to outbreaks due to plasma collection contamination in the mid-1990s, to now almost exclusive transmission via sexual contact. The number of newly-diagnosed cases and the number HIV-related deaths have increased each year since 2004, coinciding with a massive scale-up of both HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy initiation. The proportion of cases diagnosed later in their disease progression has remained constant. The initial outbreaks of HIV across China were identified quickly and the overall trends have been monitored. While the HIV epidemic among PWID has been well managed, the growing HIV epidemic via sexual contact has grown more complex and even more difficult to control.

Impact of Lopinavir/Ritonavir and Efavirenz-Based Antiretroviral Therapy on the Lipid Profile of Chinese HIV/AIDS Treatment-Naïve Patients in Beijing: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with lipid abnormalities that contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although disorders of lipid metabolism associated with ART have been described before in developed countries, data on lipid profile disorders associated with ART use in China are limited. This study aimed to examine the changes in lipid profile among patients with HIV/AIDS who initiated lopinavir/ritonavir LPV/r or efavirenz (EFV)-based antiretroviral treatment regimens, which continue to be widely used China and other developing countries. METHODS: This is a retrospective, matched case-control study of HIV-positive patients initiating either LPV/r or EFV regimens at the Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University between July 2012 and January 2017. Generalized estimating equations were used to compare the differences in total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C], and highdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C] at baseline and up to 24-months after ART initiation between the two treatment arms. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics, including age, sex, CD4 cell count, viral load, and serum lipids, which were comparable between the two groups. The LPV/r-based regimen group had increased TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C after 24-months of treatment. In the EFV-regimen group, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C were increased compared to baseline, while the TC/HDL-C ratio decreased, and TG did not change significantly. After 24-months of treatment, the percentage of patients with dyslipidemia in the LPV/r group was much higher than in the EFV group (84.0% vs. 52.6%, P<0.001), and 17(10%) patients on LPV/r-based regimens had severe dyslipidemia. Patients on LPV/r-based regimens were at increased odds of hypercholesterolemia (odds ratio [OR]=1.709, P=0.038), hypertriglyceridemia (OR=4.315, P<0.001), and high TC/HDL-C ratio (OR=1.951, P=0.003). However, no significant difference was found in HDL-C (OR=1.246, P=0.186) or LDL-C (OR=1.253, P=0.410) between the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Both LPV/r or EFV treatment regimens impacted patients' lipid profiles. Compared to EFV-based regimens, patients on LPV/r-based regimens had increased odds of dyslipidemia, such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, or high TC/HDL-C ratio; however, there was no obvious effect on LDL-C, which is more relevant to the development of the cardiovascular disease.

External validation of a prediction tool to estimate the risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection amongst men who have sex with men.

A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk assessment tool was previously developed for predicting HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), but was not externally validated. We evaluated the tool's validity for predicting HIV infection in an independent cohort.The tool was assessed using data from a retrospective cohort study of HIV-negative adult MSM who were recruited in Beijing, China between January 2009 and December 2016.High-risk behaviors occurring within 6 months before the survey were evaluated. Area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating character curve (ROC) was used to quantify discrimination performance; calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic were used for calibration performance valuation; and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate clinical usage.One thousand four hundred forty two participants from the cohort were included in the analysis; 246 (17.1%) sero-converted during follow-up. External validation of the tool showed good calibration, the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed no statistical difference between observed probability and tool-based predictive probability of HIV infection (X = 4.55, P = .80). The tool had modest discrimination ability (AUC = 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.66). The decision curve analysis indicated that implementing treatment measures based on the tool's predicative risk thresholds ranging from 10% to 30% might increase the net benefit of treatment when compared with treating all or no MSM.The HIV risk assessment tool can predict the actual risk of HIV infection well amongst MSM in China, but it has a moderate ability to discriminate those at high risk of HIV infection.

Factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse among male students who have sex with men in three Northern regions of China.

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.

HIV care continuum among newly diagnosed student and non-student youths between 2012 and 2016 in Hangzhou, China.

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 <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.