Social Network and Other Correlates of HIV Testing: Findings from Male Sex Workers and Other MSM in Shanghai, China

Huang, Zhihuan J.; He, Na; Nehl, Eric J.; Zheng, Tony; Smith, Blaine E.; Jin, Zhang; McNabb, Sarah; Wong, Frank Y.

doi:10.1007/s10461-011-0119-4

Cited by 79 publications

(96 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…behaviors [4][5][6] and that they offer emotional support for both HIV-positive as well as HIV-negative MSM. 7 8 Conversely, observations have been made regarding the negative influence of networks with low levels of normative support for safe sex on individual members' involvement in high-risk sexual behaviours.…”

Section: Strengths and Limitations Of This Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Social networks of men who have sex with men and their implications for HIV/STI interventions: results from a cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling in a large and a small city in Tanzania

et al. 2016

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ObjectiveMen who have sex with men (MSM) in sub-Saharan Africa remain hidden and hard to reach for involvement in HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) services. The aim of the current study was to describe MSM social networks in a large and a small Tanzanian city in order to explore their utility for peer-based healthcare interventions.MethodsData were collected through respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in Dar es Salaam (n=197) and in Tanga (n=99) in 2012 and 2013, using 5 and 4 seeds, respectively. All results were adjusted for RDS sampling design.ResultsMean personal network size based on the number of MSM who were reported by the participants, as known to them was 12.0±15.5 in Dar es Salaam and 7.6±8.1 in Tanga. Mean actual RDS network size was 39.4±31.4 in Dar es Salaam and 25.3±9.7 in Tanga. A majority (97%) reported that the person from whom they received the recruitment coupon was a sexual partner, close friend or acquaintance. Homophile in recruitment patterns (selective affiliation) was present for age, gay openness, and HIV status in Dar es Salaam, and for sexual identification in Tanga.ConclusionsThe personal network sizes and existence of contacts between recruiter and referral indicate that it is possible to use peer-driven interventions to reach MSM for HIV/STI interventions in larger and smaller sub-Saharan African cities. The study was reviewed and approved by the University of Texas Health Science Center's Institutional Review Board (HSC-SPH-10-0033) and the Tanzanian National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR/HQ/R.8a/Vol. IX/1088).

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Section: Strengths and Limitations Of This Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Social networks of men who have sex with men and their implications for HIV/STI interventions: results from a cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling in a large and a small city in Tanzania

et al. 2016

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“…It is precisely the effect of the stigma which explains certain risk behaviors such as the MSW not taking diagnostic tests. A study done in China found that 28.5% of "money boys" had never tested for HIV and factors associated included: not knowing of a testing site, concern about HIV testing confidentiality, being a closeted gay, and having a small social network [29]. Table 1 summarizes studies on effectiveness of HIV prevention programs and findings of the most recent research in this population.…”

Section: Suggested Components That May Be Included In Preventive Progmentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV Prevention Interventions for Young Male Commercial Sex Workers

et al. 2013

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The sex industry, where men sell sexual services to other men or women, has grown in recent years. These men who offer sexual services are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection due to such factors as: frequency of risky sexual practices, number of sex partners, drug-taking, prevalence of sexually-transmitted infections (STI) and their specific situation of social exclusion which may hinder access shown by the health services. These multi-faceted realities faced by sex workers explain the burgeoning interest in new avenues of scientific research. There are too few preventive programs however aimed at this population group and the studies that evaluate their effectiveness are fewer still. In this article we survey more recent studies on the difficulties of implementing programs for HIV prevention in male sex workers (MSW), as well as the studies that have gauged the impact of preventive programs in this group.

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“…Thus, HIV-positive MSM had low utilization of HIV-related services despite their high risk. 15,22 Studies have suggested that certain socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., being younger, single, or less educated) 23 are associated with lower HIV care utilization rates. Some structural barriers (e.g., public and exposed location for care, inconvenience of clinic hours or venues, confidentiality of disclosure of HIV status, high cost, and lack of real-time provision of counseling) might delay access to and discontinue HIV care utilization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers and Facilitators of Linkage to and Engagement in HIV Care Among HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: A Qualitative Study

Liu

Osborn

Qian

et al. 2016

AIDS Patient Care and STDs

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Linking and engaging HIV-positive patients in care is the key bridging step to glean the documented health and prevention advantages of antiretroviral therapy (ART). In China, HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) is surging, yet many HIV-positive MSM do not use HIV care services. We conducted a qualitative study in order to help positive interventions to promote linkage-to-care in this key population. Four focus group discussions (FGD) were held among HIV-positive MSM in Beijing, China, to ascertain knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and practices related to HIV care. FGD participates highlighted six major barriers of linkage to/engagement in HIV care: (1) perceived discrimination from health care workers; (2) lack of guidance and follow-up; (3) clinic time or location inconvenience; (4) privacy disclosure concerns; (5) psychological burden of committing to HIV care; and (6) concerns about treatment. Five major sub-themes emerged from discussions on the facilitators of linkage to/engagement in care: (1) peer referral and accompaniment; (2) free HIV care; (3) advocacy from HIV-positive MSM counselors; (4) extended involvement for linking MSM to care; and (5) standardization of HIV care (i.e., reliable high quality care regardless of venue). An understanding of the barriers and facilitators that may impact the access to HIV care is essential for improving the continuum of care for MSM in China. Findings from our study provide research and policy guidance for how current HIV prevention and care interventions can be enhanced to link and engage HIV-positive MSM in HIV care.

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Social Network and Other Correlates of HIV Testing: Findings from Male Sex Workers and Other MSM in Shanghai, China

Cited by 79 publications

References 44 publications

Social networks of men who have sex with men and their implications for HIV/STI interventions: results from a cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling in a large and a small city in Tanzania

Social networks of men who have sex with men and their implications for HIV/STI interventions: results from a cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling in a large and a small city in Tanzania

HIV Prevention Interventions for Young Male Commercial Sex Workers

Barriers and Facilitators of Linkage to and Engagement in HIV Care Among HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: A Qualitative Study

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