HIV testing and risks of sexual behavior among HIV-negative men who have sex with men in Ningbo, China

Abstract

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing had been confirmed as a preventive strategy for HIV control. The testing rate and risk behavior of HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) are still unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the factors associated with HIV testing, and high-risk behavior among HIV-negative MSM in Ningbo, China. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2016 and June 2017. Using snowball sampling to recruit MSM. Participants were recruited from Blued (an app for the gay community), QQ/Wechat groups, voluntary counseling and testing clinics, baths, bars, and other types of venues. Before the interview, all participants had HIV testing. MSM were included if their result of HIV screening test were negative. Face-to-face questionnaires were conducted mainly focused on HIV testing in the past year and high-risk behavior in the past 3 months. Results: In total, 988 MSM were included, 57.1% (564/988) of participants had HIV testing in the past year. The proportion of high-risk sexual behavior was 49.9%. Factors associated with HIV testing were bisexual orientation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42–0.78), drug use to adjust psychological abnormalities (AOR 1.39, 95 CI 1.04–1.85), and receiving HIV interventions (AOR 4.03, 95 CI 3.00–5.42). Being married (AOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15–2.58), bisexual orientation (AOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.54–2.95), and receiving HIV interventions (AOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.25–2.20) were risk factors for high-risk sexual behavior, while college degree or above (AOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.35–0.77) were the protective factor. Conclusion: We revealed low rate of HIV testing and high rate of risk sexual behavior among HIV-negative MSM in Ningbo. HIV transmission factors are widespread, but the proportion of 90% diagnosed for HIV are still a huge challenge in this population. Attention should be given to married, using substances or bisexual HIV-negative MSM, and HIV intervention should be strengthened to promote HIV testing and reduce risk behavior.

Factors associated with regular HIV testing behavior of MSM in China: a cross-sectional survey informed by theory of triadic influence

“…11 According to a cross-sectional study among Chinese MSM in Ningbo, China (in 2017), the estimated proportion of HIV testing in last year was only 57.1%. 12 According to another systematic review and meta-analysis focused on HIV testing among Chinese MSM, no more than 50% of Chinese MSM reported having ever been tested for HIV, and only 38% Chinese MSM reported being tested in the past year. 13 Health-related theories 14,15 have proven that health behavior, such as access to HIV testing services, not only depended on intrapersonal influences but also are influenced by social and environmental factors, or structural level factors.…”

The mediated effect of HIV risk perception in the relationship between peer education and HIV testing uptake among three key populations in China

“…Globally, about half of key populations living with HIV are not aware of their HIV status [ 14 ]. In China, the annual HIV testing rate among MSM is low, ranging from 44.6 to 69% [ 15 ], followed by DUs with an annual HIV testing proportion of 25.8% [ 16 ] and FSWs of 24.4% [ 5 ]. It is therefore imperative to promote HIV testing uptake among key populations to control HIV epidemic.…”