Impact of HIV/sexually transmitted infection testing on risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men in Langfang, China.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) in China remain at high risk for HIV infection, the proportion of reported HIV/AIDS cases that occurred among MSM rose greatly from 2005 to 2011. HIV testing and counseling is a critical HIV prevention strategy among HIV related high-risk population, including MSM in China. This article aimed to assess the association between receiving HIV testing and high-risk sexual behaviors among MSM in Langfang, Hebei Province, China. METHODS: Between September and November 2007, 233 MSM were recruited to receive an HIV testing intervention. Face-to-face interviews were conducted before HIV testing and 3 months later HIV-related risk behaviors were assessed. Serological testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was performed. RESULTS: Of the recruited 233 MSM, 200 completed follow-up. Baseline prevalence was 7.8% for HIV, 21.0% for syphilis, 15.8% for gonorrhea, and 5.0% for chlamydia. Multivariate analysis indicated that inconsistent condom use (OR = 7.9, 95%CI: 0.9 - 66.7, P = 0.059) and bleeding during anal sex (OR = 5.9, 95%CI: 1.3 - 26.2, P = 0.019) were risk factors for HIV infection, and group sex (OR = 6.6, 95%CI: 2.2 - 19.7, P = 0.001) was a risk factor for syphilis infection at baseline. At 3 months follow-up, among STI-positive MSM, self-reported anal sex fell from 73.1% to 38.5% (P < 0.001); group sex fell from 19.2% to 5.8% (P < 0.001); and bleeding during anal sex fell from 23.1% to 5.8% (P < 0.001). Among STI-negative MSM, the frequency of one-night stands fell from 32.5% to 17.2% (P < 0.001), and oral sex rose from 57% to 78.5% (P < 0.001). STI-positive MSM were less likely to engage in anal sex compared to STI-negative MSM (χ(2) = 5.189, P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: HIV testing is an important intervention strategy among MSM. HIV testing services among MSM need to be scaled up, along with comprehensive, tailored interventions including condom promotion and STI treatment.

[Survey on AIDS/STD risk behaviors and prevalence among men who have sex with men in Langfang, Hebei].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the demographic and HIV risk behaviors, HIV and syphilis infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Langfang, Hebei. METHODS: 106 completed questionnaires were collected from 118 participants, who were recruited from MSM pubs and internet from October to November, 2007. Data on homosexual and heterosexual relationships as well as sexual behaviors were collected by face-to-face interview. Blood specimen were collected to determine HIV/syphilis serostatus. RESULTS: Age, marital status and occupation were statistically different (P < 0.05) among MSM subgroups enrolled through different recruitment methods. Almost 90.0% of the MSMs identified their sexual orientation, 82.1% MSMs had sexual contacts with men, 50.4% MSMs maintained sexual relationship with women. The exposures of sexual contacts were anal intercourse (87.7%), blow job (58.5%), rimming (32.1%), fist sucking (15.1%), group sex (8.5%) etc. As for the awareness of risk for HIV infection, only 31.1% of the participants were beware of their risk of HIV infection they had been facing while 23.6% of them had ever received HIV testings. The prevalence rates of HIV and syphilis antibody positive among the 84 MSMs in this program were 4.8% and 22.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: MSMs were lack of HIV/STI awareness on their risks and having a high prevalence of HIV and syphilis. Specific HIV/STI intervention should be carried out in this population urgently.