A cross-sectional study of HIV and syphilis infections among male students who have sex with men (MSM) in northeast China: implications for implementing HIV screening and intervention programs

Abstract

BackgroundChina has 76.2 million high school and college students, in which the number of reported HIV/AIDS cases is increasing rapidly. Most of these cases are attributed to male-to-male sexual contact. Few studies have explored HIV prevalence and behavioural characteristics of Chinese male students who have sex with men (MSM).MethodsA cross-sectional study of MSM high school and college students in Liaoning Province was conducted. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and blood specimens were obtained and tested for HIV and syphilis.ResultsThere were 436 eligible participants. HIV and syphilis prevalence was 3.0% and 5.0%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, sexual orientation known by family members (OR: 7.3; 95% CI: 1.5-34.6), HIV/AIDS information obtained from clinical doctors (OR: 6.7; 95% CI: 1.7-25.9), HIV/AIDS information obtained through free educational services and materials such as voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and condom distribution services (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.4-1.0), inconsistent condom use (OR: 5.7; 95%: 1.3-25.3), sexual partner experienced anal bleeding after insertive anal intercourse (OR: 6.8; 95% CI: 1.6-28.4), and history of illegal drug use (OR: 18.9; 95% CI: 2.2-165.3) were found to be significantly associated with HIV infection.ConclusionsGreater effort should be made towards stemming the HIV and syphilis epidemics among Chinese student MSM. Immediate screening and comprehensive interventions towards student MSM should be implemented in order to curb the spread of HIV. Family and school-based interventions should be considered to target this educated, yet vulnerable, population.

Recreational Drug Use among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Risky Combination with Unprotected Sex for Acquiring HIV Infection

“…Our study also confirmed the finding from our previous study that UAI with casual male sexual partners was a risk factor for HIV infection [16]. Although HIV serosorting is considered an effective risk reduction strategy among high risk MSM in the USA [28], this strategy may not be so beneficial for Chinese MSM, because the benefit of this strategy relies on high coverage and frequency of HIV testing [29], while in 2009 only 43.7% of Chinese MSM had ever taken an HIV testing in the past 12 months [30].…”

Internet-Based Sex-Seeking Behavior Promotes HIV Infection Risk: A 6-Year Serial Cross-Sectional Survey to MSM in Shenyang, China

“…The following data was collected: marriage status, occupation, monthly salary, age of male sexual behavior debut, number of male sexual partners, condom use with male sexual partners, preferred sexual roles, sexual orientation, and STI symptoms in the past 12 months (pain during urination, sensation of burning in the genitals, or abnormal urethral discharge) [18]. Ways of seeking homosexual partners were collected from each subject individually; those subjects who self-reported mainly sought male sexual partners through Internet or GSN applications in past 12 months were defined as IBM, otherwise were defined as NIBM.…”

Prevalence of HIV and Syphilis Infection among High School and College Student MSM in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Many in this age group are high school and college students and China has the largest number of students in the world [3]. According to a report from the Chinese Ministry of Education, there were an estimated 46.8 million high school students and 31.1 million college students in China by the end of 2010, approximately half of whom are male [4].…”

“…During this time period (2006–2011), among self-reported students, the proportion of HIV cases among 20–24 year old group increased from 20.3% to 49.0% and the proportion of homosexually transmitted cases increased from 8.0% to 55.5% [1]. However, only a few studies with small samples sizes have been conducted to analyze the prevalence of HIV infection among Chinese student MSM [3], [6].…”