HIV Testing and Risks of Sexual Behavior among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ningbo, China

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing is confirmed as a preventive strategy for HIV control. However, the testing rate and risk behaviors of HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) remain unclear. We aimed to examine factors associated with HIV testing and high-risk behaviors among HIV-negative MSM. From July 2016 to June 2017, participants were recruited by snowball sampling from WeChat groups, bars, and other venues. HIV testing was performed to exclude HIV-positive MSM. Face-to-face questionnaires regarding HIV testing and high-risk behaviors were conducted; 988 MSM were included, and 57.1% of participants underwent HIV testing in the past year. The proportion of high-risk behaviors was 49.9%. Factors associated with HIV testing were bisexual orientation, substance use to adjust psychiatric disorders, and receiving acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) interventions. Being married, bisexual orientation, and receiving AIDS interventions were risk factors for high-risk sexual behaviors, while college or higher degree was a protective factor. We determined that HIV transmission factors are widespread, and the rate of HIV testing is relatively low. Attention should be given to marital status, using substances to adjust psychiatric disorders, or bisexual HIV-negative MSM, and AIDS interventions should be strengthened to promote HIV testing and reduce high-risk behaviors.

Factors influencing HIV testing and counselling services among men who have sex with men in Western China: a cross-sectional study based on Andersen’s Behavioral Model

“…However, several studies have shown that HIV testing among MSM is not as satisfactory as expected [ 30 , 31 ]. Based on the findings of HIV testing in Tianjin [ 32 ] and Ningbo [ 33 ], the testing rates were 69.95% (sample size = 4316) and 57.1% (sample size = 988), respectively, which were lower than our results. We have reason to believe that HIV testing is better among the MSM population in Western China.…”

“…But the MSM population is a marginal population that is difficult to reach, and we had to use such a sampling method. Similarly, many studies of factors influencing HIV testing in MSM population have encountered the same problem [ 32 , 33 ]. (2) As a sensitive group, MSM pay great attention to privacy issues.…”

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.…”

Psychosocial and behavioral correlates with HIV testing among men who have sex with men during the COVID‐19 pandemic in China

“…Therefore, Chinese MSM often marry a woman to conceal their homosexuality [ 28 ]. Being married might be an indicator of more risky behaviors or taking responsibility of family [ 29 ]. In addition, we found participants with increased quality of sleep were more likely to get HIV test.…”