Factors Associated with Unprotected Anal Intercourse Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: Results from a Respondent Driven Sampling Survey in Nanjing, China, 2008

Abstract

Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) is a well-documented risk factor for acquiring HIV, but not well-studied in China. We studied demographic and behavioral correlates for UAI among men who have sex with men (MSM) in a respondent-driven-sampling (RDS) survey in Nanjing, China. Four hundred and thirty MSM (including ten seeds) participated in this study, rendering an adjusted rate of UAI as 62.3 % (95 % CI 56.4-68.4 %). Adjusted HIV and syphilis prevalence rates were 6.6 % (95 % CI 3.0-10.4) and 12.6 % (95 % CI 8.1-18.3), respectively. HIV- and syphilis-positive cases were more likely to have engaged in UAI. Being unwilling to use condoms, meeting partners in non-conventional venues, having multiple male sex-partners in the past 6 months, having sex with regular and casual male partners in the past 6 months, and consumption of alcohol before sex were all positively associated with UAI. Based on the observed high prevalence of UAI among MSM in Nanjing, we can conclude that implementation of strategies to motivate MSM with high-risk behaviors to use condoms is urgently required in Nanjing.

Comparing Samples of Men Who Have Sex with Men Recruited Online and in Venues, Jiangsu Province, China, 2013

“…However, RDS studies carried out by Jiangsu CDC achieved similar, but not exactly the same, demographic and risk profiles of MSM as our online sample survey. 20 However, this does not mean RDS and online sampling are superior to TLS just that they are similar.…”

Syphilis Infection in a Male Population: Prevalence and Risk Factors

“…Several studies have reported the association of risk factors and the escalation of syphilis, such as: receptive oral sex (MARTINELLI et al, 2012;CHAMPENOIS et al, 2013), unprotected anal sex (CDC, 2013;SANCHEZ et al, 2013;WEI et al, 2013), low condom use (TANG et al, 2013;WANG et al, 2013 b;ZHANG et al, 2014), low level of education (RIBEIRO et al, 2012;CHAMPENOIS et al, 2013;WANG et al, 2013 b;), presence of genital ulcers (RIBEIRO et al, 2012;SANCHEZ et al, 2013), previous history of SDTs (RIBEIRO et al, 2012;SAVAGE et al, 2012;SANCHEZ et al, 2013;), use of sexual toys with casual partners and use of medications for erectile dysfunction (DOHERTY et al, 2012).…”

The Relationship Between Self-Reported Sexually Explicit Media Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

“…Studies appear to indicate that higher IH is associated with engagement in more sexual risk behaviors, although the evidence is somewhat mixed 49,50 . Research has also found that lower level of HIV-related knowledge and more male sex partners-seeking behaviour was associated with engagement in more sexual risk behaviors among MSM 13,51 . However, no studies have explored the potential influences of SSS, IH, and male sex partner-seeking on the association between SEM consumption and sexual risk behavior among MSM.…”

“…Five venues included bars/clubs/discos/tearooms; bathhouses/saunas/massage parlors; parks/other public areas; Internet sites; others 13 . The scale for male sex partners-seeking was constructed as an average of all 5 questions with a mean score ranging from 0 to 9.…”

“…Prior studies have revealed many factors associated with UAI among MSM in China, including the venues where MSM meet sex partners, substance use, number of sex partners, levels of impulsivity, education, and intentions to use condoms [10][11][12][13] . However, the potential association of another factor, sexually explicit media (SEM) consumption, with sexual risk behaviors among MSM in China has never before been examined.…”