HIV antibody testing and its correlates among heterosexual attendees of sexually transmitted disease clinics in China

Abstract

BackgroundThis study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HIV antibody testing and associated factors among heterosexual sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees in China.MethodsA self-administered questionnaire was administered among 823 attendees of 4 STD clinics of Zhejiang Province, China in October to December 2007. Psychosocial and behavioural factors associated with HIV antibody testing were identified in both genders using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsOf all 823 STD clinic attendees, 9.3% of male and 18.0% of female attendees underwent HIV antibody testing in the most recent 6 months, and 60% of the participants had gotten no educational/behavioral intervention related to HIV prevention. The correlates for HIV antibody testing in the most recent 6 months as identified by multivariate analysis were ever condom use [odds ratio (OR), 10.37; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32–81.22]; ever anal/oral sex (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.03–9.50) during their lifetime; having ever received three to seven types of behavioural interventions in the most recent 6 months (OR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.32–10.36) among male subjects; and ever condom use (OR, 12.50; 95% CI, 2.20–71.01), STD history (OR, 3.86; 95% CI, 1.26–11.86) over their lifetime, or having ever received three to seven types of behavioural interventions in the most recent 6 months (OR, 8.68; 95% CI, 2.39–31.46) in female subjects. A lifetime experience of casual/commercial sex partners was strongly negatively associated with HIV testing in female subjects (OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01–0.83).ConclusionThe low prevalence of HIV antibody testing and behavioural intervention among STD clinic attendees indicates a need for more targeted, intensive behavioural interventions to promote HIV antibody testing in this population.

What are the factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection screening behaviour among heterosexual men patronising entertainment establishments who engaged in casual or paid sex? – Results from a cross-sectional survey in an Asian urban setting

“…This is similar to other studies where HIV testing increased with higher number of past year sex partners among male motorbike taxi drivers (92.1% were heterosexual) in urban Vietnam [36] and among the general heterosexual male population in Italy [16]. For having engaged in anal sex, our result showed an almost two-fold significant association with HIV/STI testing although this was not observed in heterosexual men who attended the STI clinics in China [20]. We did not find an association of consistent condom use with HIV/STI testing in our study.…”

“…This prevalence was lower compared to MSM from gay venues and hotspots in Cambodia (65.1%) [10], MSM living in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, Thailand (74.1%) [11], MSM from bar, bathhouse, park, and internet setting in Beijing, China (56.2%) [12] and MSM from bar, brothel and internet setting in Chongqing, China (58.0) [13] but higher than heterosexual men who attended the STI clinics in China (9.3%) [20]. One reason for this phenomenon is probably due to the social movements and advocacy from various interest groups [14] that has led to more research and corresponding delivery of interventions for the MSM [34].…”

“…We did not find an association of consistent condom use with HIV/STI testing in our study. Other studies have reported mixed findings with no association found among the general heterosexual male population in Italy [16] but with an association in heterosexual men who attended the STI clinics in China [20]. …”

“…The available literature provides little data to allow understanding of how sexually active heterosexual men behave in relation to HIV/STI testing [14]. Third, the few studies on sexually active heterosexual men are often from the West [15, 16] and Africa [17–19] where their sexual behaviour and HIV/STI transmission knowledge are likely to be different from that of Asia men [20]. Fourth, to the best of our knowledge, there is no published study that evaluates the factors associated with HIV/STI testing behaviour of heterosexual men patronising entertainment establishments (EEs) who engage in casual or paid sex.…”

Unintended Pregnancy and Its Correlates among Female Attendees of Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics in Eastern China

“…The research method was introduced somewhere else [16]. The participants of this study came from a cross-sectional survey conducted at four STD clinics in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China, from October to December, 2007.…”