Risk Factors for HIV/Syphilis Infection and Male Circumcision Practices and Preferences among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

Abstract

Objective. To investigate factors associated with HIV infection and the frequency and willingness of male circumcision among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chengdu city, China. Methods. A cross-sectional survey provided information on participants' demographics, risk behaviors, circumcision, and uptake of HIV prevention services. Results. Of 570 participants, 13.3% were infected with HIV and 15.9% with syphilis. An estimated 43.0% of respondents reported having unprotected receptive anal intercourse, and 58.9% reported having ≥2 male sexual partners in the past 6 months. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that syphilis, more male sex partners, predominantly receptive anal intercourse, and exclusively receptive male sex were associated with HIV infection. Higher level of education and peer education service were inversely associated with HIV infection. Nearly a fifth (18.0%) of participants were circumcised. More than half of uncircumcised participants expressed willingness to be circumcised. Conclusion. This study reveals a high prevalence of HIV and syphilis among MSM in Chengdu province of China. The frequency of unprotected receptive anal intercourse and multiple male sexual partnerships highlight the urgency for an effective comprehensive HIV prevention strategy. Although the willingness to accept male circumcision (MC) is high, further research is needed to assess the protective effective of MC among MSM.

High-risk behaviour and HIV infection risk among non-local men who have sex with men with less than a single year's residence in urban centres: a multicentre cross-sectional study from China

“…In addition, this study corroborates the findings of earlier studies in regard to the independent correlation of HIV infection among total MSM and all three MSM subgroups with various other factors including recreational drug use, syphilis infection and HSV-2 infection 5 10. The public health services need, therefore, to enhance their understanding of recreational drug use among MSM, and further develop interventions to target high-risk sexual behaviours and encourage engagement with care among that population.…”

“…Investigations into the influence of migration status on the odds of HIV infection have produced equivocal results 5 6. Recent studies have suggested that migrants exhibit noticeable variation in high-risk sexual behaviours depending on their duration of residence.…”

Frequent HIV Testing: Impact on HIV Risk Among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…In our Beijing urban study, we observed an HIV prevalence of 12.7%, substantially higher than the latest national estimate (7.3%), 48 and similar to the findings documented in recent studies among Chinese MSM in other metropolitan areas (12.4%–14.5%). 43,49–51 MSM had a high HIV prevalence in Beijing, confirming our mathematical projection that the HIV epidemic continues to grow in this key population. 24 Consistent with other findings, 42,51–54 we found familiar risk factors among HIV-positive MSM, including younger age of sexual debut, lower educational level, never married, transient residence, more lifetime male sexual partners, ever engaging in condomless anal sex, drug use, and alcohol use before sex.…”

HIV Epidemic in Asia: Implications for HIV Vaccine and Other Prevention Trials

“…Circumcision rates among MSM remain low (<20%) in countries such as Thailand 76 or China. 182,183 Although a recent study in India suggests that circumcised MSM who predominantly take the receptive role in anal intercourse may be at a lower risk of HIV infection, 184 evidence that circumcision reduces HIV among MSM remains weak and inconsistent. 185,186 Despite the willingness to undergo circumcision among MSM populations, 187,188 male circumcision is not promoted as a priority in Asian countries with concentrated epidemics and has not been recommended for MSM unless they also engage in vaginal sex.…”