Linking young men who have sex with men (YMSM) to STI physicians: a nationwide cross-sectional survey in China

Because of the high cost, venue-based probability sampling of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is largely inaccessible to social researchers. The aim of this study is to compare the feasibility of implementing geosocial networking application-based (GSNA) and venue-based prob`ability sampling of young men who have sex with men. A cross-sectional survey conducted in Los Angeles in 2017 and 2018 recruited 124 YMSM using both methods. We compared costs and hours of work for each method. Per participant, GSNA-based methods cost approximately 157 USD compared to 383 USD for the venue-based methods. For sample sizes up to 1,000, venue-based methods cost over two times more than GSNA-based methods. Findings indicate that research teams with limited resources may be able to implement probability-based recruitment by using GSNA. By lowering the cost of research and maintaining probability-based methodological rigor, GSNAs can increase the amount of social research with YMSM.

Download Full-text

COVID-19 and the Risk for Increased Intimate Partner Violence Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260521997454 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052199745

Author(s):

Rob Stephenson ◽

Tanaka M.D. Chavanduka ◽

Matthew T. Rosso ◽

Stephen P. Sullivan ◽

Renée A. Pitter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Social Contact ◽

The United States ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sex With Men ◽

First Time

Stay at home orders–intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by limiting social contact–have forced people to remain in their homes. The additional stressors created by the need to stay home and socially isolate may act as triggers to intimate partner violence (IPV). In this article, we present data from a recent online cross-sectional survey with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the United States to illustrate changes in IPV risks that have occurred during the U.S. COVID-19 epidemic. The Love and Sex in the Time of COVID-19 survey was conducted online from April to May 2020. GBMSM were recruited through paid banner advertisements featured on social networking platforms, recruiting a sample size of 696 GBMSM. Analysis considers changes in victimization and perpetration of IPV during the 3 months prior to the survey (March-May 2020) that represents the first 3 months of lockdown during the COVID-19 epidemic. During the period March-May 2020, 12.6% of participants reported experiencing any IPV with higher rates of emotional IPV (10.3%) than sexual (2.2%) or physical (1.8%) IPV. Of those who reported IPV victimization during lockdown, for almost half this was their first time experience: 5.3% reported the IPV they experienced happened for the first time during the past 3 months (0.8% physical, 2.13% sexual, and 3.3% emotional). Reporting of perpetration of IPV during lockdown was lower: only 6% reported perpetrating any IPV, with perpetration rates of 1.5% for physical, 0.5% for sexual, and 5.3% for emotional IPV. Of those who reported perpetration of IPV during lockdown, very small percentages reported that this was the first time they had perpetrated IPV: 0.9% for any IPV (0.2% physical, 0.2% sexual, and 0.6% emotional). The results illustrate an increased need for IPV resources for GBMSM during these times of increased stress and uncertainty, and the need to find models of resource and service delivery that can work inside of social distancing guidelines while protecting the confidentiality and safety of those who are experiencing IPV.

Download Full-text

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Unprotected Anal Intercourse with Regular Male Sex Partners among HIV Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: A Cross-Sectional Survey

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0119977 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. e0119977 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Dongliang Li ◽

Chunrong Li ◽

Zixin Wang ◽

Joseph T. F. Lau

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Anal Intercourse ◽

Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽

Sex Partners ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Male Sex ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv Negative

Download Full-text

HIV Vaccine Preparedness among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Taiwan: Sociocultural and Behavioral Factors

Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC) ◽

10.1177/2325958219832285 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 232595821983228

Author(s):

Deng-Min Chuang ◽

Peter Adam Newman ◽

James Weaver

Keyword(s):

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Hiv Vaccine ◽

Sex Partners ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Multiple Partners ◽

Complementary Approach ◽

Higher Educational Attainment ◽

Sex With Men

In Taiwan, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at disproportionate risk of HIV infection. We examined awareness and acceptability of future HIV vaccines. From July to August 2014, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with MSM recruited through community-based organizations (CBOs) in 2 cities. Among 200 participants (mean age, 27.6 years), half reported multiple partners and one-third condomless anal sex (past 3 months); 12% were HIV-positive. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) use was reported by 42.7%. Over two-thirds (69.0%) were aware of HIV vaccine research, but less than half (43.8%) would accept an HIV vaccine if available. In multivariable analysis, higher educational attainment, >5 sex partners, and TCM use were positively associated with HIV vaccine awareness. Culturally informed HIV vaccine preparedness in Taiwan may be supported by a complementary approach to TCM and HIV prevention technologies, tailoring information for MSM with lower education and targeting those at high risk through gay-identified CBOs.

Download Full-text

App use frequency and condomless anal intercourse among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China: a cross-sectional study

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/0956462419860293 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (12) ◽

pp. 1146-1155 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Qianqian Luo ◽

Zunyou Wu ◽

Zihuang Chen ◽

Yue Ma ◽

Guodong Mi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Anal Intercourse ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Condomless Anal Intercourse ◽

Adjusted Logistic Regression ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Beijing China

Gay dating applications (apps) are popular among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. This study examined the relationship between gay dating app use frequency and condomless anal intercourse (CAI) in a sample of MSM in Beijing. In October 2017, a web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among MSM from Beijing, China. Demographics, frequency of app use, and sexual behaviors were collected and analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the association between app use frequency and CAI. Of the 9280 participants, the proportion of CAI within one month prior to the survey was 43.3%, and 43.7% logged onto the app ≥11 times per week. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, logging onto the app 6–10 times per week and ≥11 times per week were inversely associated with CAI (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.88 [95%CI, 0.78–0.99]; AOR = 0.88 [95%CI, 0.82–0.97], respectively). Among those 40 years of age or older, logging onto the app ≥11 times per week was associated with lower rates of CAI (AOR = 0.57 [95%CI, 0.40–0.81]). Results indicate that frequent app use was associated with lower odds of CAI among MSM in Beijing, China. Innovative interventions, which take advantage of this popular media platform, should be developed as such apps have been found to reduce the odds of CAI in Beijing.

Download Full-text

Transactional Sex With Regular and Casual Partners Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Detroit Metro Area

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988315609110 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 498-507 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

José A. Bauermeister ◽

Lisa Eaton ◽

Steven Meanley ◽

Emily S. Pingel ◽

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Employment Status ◽

Young Men ◽

The Body ◽

Transactional Sex ◽

Relationship Status ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Metro Area ◽

Race Ethnicity ◽

Sex With Men

Transactional sex refers to the commodification of the body in exchange for shelter, food, and other goods and needs. Transactional sex has been associated with negative health outcomes including HIV infection, psychological distress, and substance use and abuse. Compared with the body of research examining transactional sex among women, less is known about the prevalence and correlates of transactional sex among men. Using data from a cross-sectional survey of young men who have sex with men (ages 18-29) living in the Detroit Metro Area ( N = 357; 9% HIV infected; 49% Black, 26% White, 16% Latino, 9% Other race), multivariate logistic regression analyses examined the association between transactional sex with regular and casual partners and key psychosocial factors (e.g., race/ethnicity, education, poverty, relationship status, HIV status, prior sexually transmitted infections [STIs], mental health, substance use, and residential instability) previously identified in the transactional sex literature. Forty-four percent of the current sample reported engaging in transactional sex. Transactional sex was associated with age, employment status, relationship status, and anxiety symptoms. When stratified, transactional sex with a regular partner was associated with age, educational attainment, employment status, relationship status, anxiety, and alcohol use. Transactional sex with a casual partner was associated with homelessness, race/ethnicity, employment status, and hard drug use. The implications of these findings for HIV/STI prevention are discussed, including the notion that efforts to address HIV/STIs among young men who have sex with men may require interventions to consider experiences of transactional sex and the psychosocial contexts that may increase its likelihood.

Download Full-text

Internet-Based Sex-Seeking Behavior Promotes HIV Infection Risk: A 6-Year Serial Cross-Sectional Survey to MSM in Shenyang, China

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2016/2860346 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Shi Pan ◽

Jun-Jie Xu ◽

Xiao-Xu Han ◽

Jing Zhang ◽

Qing-Hai Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hiv Prevalence ◽

The Internet ◽

Transmitted Drug Resistance ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

Sex With Men

HIV prevalence is still rapidly increasing among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). The Internet also makes it easier for MSM to have casual partners. This study aims to evaluate the trend of Internet-based sex-seeking behavior of MSM and its impact on HIV prevalence, the distribution of HIV subtype strains, and transmitted drug resistance rates. A serial cross-sectional study was conducted from 2009 to 2014. Of the 1,981 MSM, 50.5% (1,000/1,981) mainly sought homosexual partners through the Internet (Internet-based MSM, IBM). The proportion of IBM among total MSM subjects increased from 43.3% to 61.5% (p<0.001). HIV prevalence of IBM increased from 5.7% to 20.7%, while that of non-Internet-based MSM (NIBM) increased from 7.0% to 14.7%. A relative higher proportion of NIBM were infected with HIV CRF01_AE subtype than IBM (79.5% versus 72.2%, p=0.52). Multivariable analysis found IBM had a significantly higher HIV prevalence than NIBM (13.2% versus 10.5%, aOR = 1.4, 95% CI [1.0–1.9]). Being a migrant non-Shenyang resident MSM (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI [1.3–2.9]) and occasionally/never using condoms with casual homosexual partners (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.1–2.6]) were two distinct risk factors for HIV infection in IBM. More efforts should be targeted towards developing interventions aimed at IBM, particularly migrant MSM and who engage in UAI with casual homosexual partners.

Download Full-text

Nitrite Inhalants Use and HIV Infection among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/365261 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dongliang Li ◽

Xueying Yang ◽

Zheng Zhang ◽

Xiao Qi ◽

Yuhua Ruan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Casual Sex ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Past ◽

Logistic Analysis ◽

Independent Association ◽

Blood Specimens ◽

Sex With Men

Objective. This is the first study in China to examine the use of nitrite inhalants and its correlates among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China.Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2012. Structured interviews collected data on demographics, sexual and drug use behaviors, and the use of HIV services. Blood specimens were collected and tested for HIV and syphilis.Results. A total of 400 MSM eligible for the study were between 19 and 63 years of age and overall HIV prevalence was 6.0% (9.0% among nitrite inhalant users and 3.3% among nonusers). Nearly half (47.3%) of them reported ever using nitrite inhalants and 42.3% admitted using nitrite inhalants in the past year. Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that ever using nitrite inhalants in the past was independently associated with being aged≤25years, having higher education attainment, seeking sex via Internet, having casual partners in the past three months, and being HIV positive.Conclusion. The use of nitrite inhalants was alarmingly prevalent among MSM in Beijing. The independent association of the nitrite inhalant use with more casual sex partners and HIV infection underscored the need for intervention and prevention of nitrite inhalant use.

Download Full-text