Geosocial networking app use is correlated with increased high-risk sexual behaviors and prevalence of HIV among Chinese men who have sex with men university students: A mixed offline and online cross-sectional survey (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Li ◽  
Sequoia I Leuba ◽  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Yangyang Gao ◽  
Erlei Peng ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The HIV infection prevalence is increasing rapidly among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) university students, and there is limited research on the association of mobile geosocial networking (GSN) apps use and HIV-related high-risk sexual behaviour and HIV prevalence among MSM university students. OBJECTIVE To provide evidence for tailored HIV intervention programs we conducted this study to examine the association between use of GSN apps and HIV-related behaviors and HIV prevalence among Chinese MSM attending university. METHODS Chinese MSM university students were recruited using mixed recruitment methods from 2017 to 2019. Data on sociodemographic, sexual behaviours, use of GSN apps, and eligibility for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was collected. Participants were tested for HIV and syphilis, and positive cases were confirmed by laboratory testing. RESULTS We recruited 771 MSM university students: 76.3% (n=588) online and 23.7% (n=183) offline. Among all participants, the HIV prevalence was 3.5% (n=27), and 67.4% (n=520) were eligible for PrEP. GSN app users (81.2%, n=626) vs. GSN app nonusers (18.8%, n=145) were more likely to have used recreational drugs, have multiple male sexual partners, have casual sex, and have been tested for HIV in the past six months (all P < 0.05). After adjusting for age, residence, education, and recruitment method, GSN app users had an increased odds of HIV infection compared to GSN app nonusers (aOR=8.1 [95% CI: 1.05, 62.33]). CONCLUSIONS MSM university students who used GSN apps more frequently engaged in HIV-related high-risk sexual behaviours and had a higher prevalence of HIV infection compared to GSN app nonusers. GSN app platforms can reach Chinese MSM university students and should be used to promote HIV testing and implement sexual behavioural risk reduction interventions or PrEP.

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunxiao Lei ◽  
Kaili Zhang ◽  
Xueling Xiao ◽  
Chulei Tang ◽  
Xianhong Li ◽  
...  

Background: HIV infection is prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM), and sexual roles may be important factors related to it. This study aims to describe the sexual roles, risky sexual behaviors and HIV prevalence among MSM, and to determine associated factors for HIV prevalence. Methods: A convenient sampling method was used to recruit participants in a non-government organization in Changsha, China. The participants were asked to complete a 38-item self-administered questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics and risky sexual behaviours before collecting blood samples for HIV testing. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were conducted with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 18.0 and other indexes were statistically described. Results: A total of 601 MSMs who came to a local non-government organization for voluntary counseling and testing completed a pencil-and-paper survey and were tested for HIV. The overall HIV prevalence of this sample was 13.3%, and that of the bottoms (16.3%) was similar to the versatiles (15.9%) but higher than the tops (6.1%). Bivariate analyses showed that there were significant differences in age, marital status, monthly income, sexual orientation, age at first sex, sex of the first sex partner, sex with a woman in the last 6 months, oral sex with a man in the last 6 months and role of oral sex among 3 subgroups of MSM (p < 0.05). Multivariate analyses indicated that MSMs who played the role of either the bottoms or the versatiles were more likely to be HIV positive than the tops. While MSMs who used condoms in anal sex in the last 6 months, had sex with a woman in the last 6 months or had oral sex with a man in the last 6 months were less likely to be HIV positive. Conclusion: Different sexual roles are associated with high-risk sexual behaviors among MSMs and their HIV infection status. Further research should target preventive interventions, and improve the effectiveness of the intervention according to the characteristics of the subgroups to reduce the HIV transmission among Chinese MSM.


2012 ◽  
pp. 114-121
Author(s):  
That Toan Ton ◽  
Xuan Chuong Tran

Man who have sex with man (MSM) group is a high risk group of HIV infection. There are very rare studies about HIV infection in this group. Objectives: 1. Determine the rate of HIV infection in MSM in Khanh Hoa province 2010. 2. Study some characteristics of MSM in Khanh Hoa province. Materials and Methods: MSM over 16 yrs. live in Khanh Hoa. Cross-sectional study from June 2010 to June 2011. Results: 1. HIV infection in MSM group in Khanh Hoa 2010: 1.3% (rural 0.6%, urban: 3.7%). Marriaged: 3.9%, single: 0.8%; MSM have sex only with men: 0.3%, MSM have sex with men and women: 3.7%. 2. 83.3% of MSM are single (urban more common than rural). The first sex partner: male 82.2%, female 14.9%. Having sex for pay: urban 29.9%, rural 19.3%. Having sex for enjoying: urban 49.5%, rural 71.8%. Conclusions: HIV infection in MSM group in Khanh Hoa 2010: 1.3% (rural 0.6%, urban: 3.7%). Marriaged: 3.9%, single: 0.8%. 83.3% of MSM are single (urban more common than rural). Having sex for enjoying: urban 49.5%, rural 71.8%.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianlong Ren ◽  
Binbin Zhang ◽  
Fei Yu ◽  
Jason Ong ◽  
Chenglin Hong ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Extensive use of geosocial networking (GSN) apps has substantially changed the behaviors and HIV risk among men who have sex with men (MSM). OBJECTIVE We aim to examine the HIV prevalence and risky behaviors among GSN app-using MSM. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study among MSM users of Blued (a GSN app) from July 2017 to December 2018. Sociodemographic and behavioural data in the preceding six months were collected through an app-assistant questionnaire, and blood samples were also obtained to test for HIV. HIV prevalence was calculated, and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to explore the correlates of HIV infection RESULTS A total of 7252 app-using MSM in Beijing were included. The HIV prevalence was 4.7% (95%CI 4.2%-5.2%). In the last six months, nearly half (49.0%) had multiple sexual partners, 3.3% reported having HIV-positive partners, 50.9% were not sure about their current partners’ HIV status. The majority (62.3%) of participants reported consistent condom use, 6.1% had engaged in group sex, and 19.1% had used recreational drug in the past six months. Having college or undergraduate (AOR=0.35, 95%CI 0.16-0.75), or postgraduate (AOR=0.22, 95%CI 0.06-0.78) education, being exclusively insertive in anal intercourse (AOR=0.18, 95%CI 0.07-0.48) were correlated with decreased odds of HIV infection. However, having anal sex (AOR=4.74, 95%CI 1.17-19.19), having 2 to 5 (ORa=1.47 95%CI 1.17-1.86) or six and more (AOR=2.18, 95%CI 1.34-3.55) male sex partners, not consistently using condoms during anal sex (AOR=1.93, 95%CI 1.06-3.52), and being diagnosed with STIs (AOR=3.02, 95%CI 0.95-9.56) in the preceding six months were associated with greater odds of HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS HIV risky behaviors were prevalent among app-using MSM, suggesting more targeted interventions are needed among this population.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e033852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Disa Hansson ◽  
Susanne Strömdahl ◽  
Ka Yin Leung ◽  
Tom Britton

ObjectivesSince 2017, the Public Health Agency of Sweden recommends that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV should be offered to high-risk individuals, in particular to men who have sex with men (MSM). The objective of this study is to develop a mathematical model investigating the effect of introducing PrEP to MSM in Sweden.DesignA pair formation model, including steady and casual sex partners, is developed to study the impact of introducing PrEP. Two groups are included in the model: sexually high active MSM and sexually low active MSM. Three mixing assumptions between the groups are considered.SettingA gay-friendly MSM HIV/sexually transmitted infection testing clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. This clinic started offering PrEP to MSM in October 2018.ParticipantsThe model is calibrated according to detailed sexual behaviour data gathered in 2015 among 403 MSM.ResultsBy targeting sexually high active MSM, a PrEP coverage of 3.5% of the MSM population (10% of all high actives) would result in the long-term HIV prevalence to drop considerably (close to 0%). While targeting only low actives would require a PrEP coverage of 35% for a similar reduction. The main effect of PrEP is the reduced susceptibility, whereas the increased HIV testing rate (every third month) among PrEP users plays a lesser role.ConclusionsTo create a multifaceted picture of the effects of interventions against HIV, we need models that include the different stages of HIV infection and real-world data on detailed sexual behaviour to calibrate the mathematical models. Our findings conclude that targeting HIV high-risk individuals, within HIV risk populations such as MSM, with PrEP programmes could greatly decrease the long-term HIV prevalence in Sweden. Therefore, risk stratification of individuals is of importance in PrEP implementation programmes, to ensure optimising the effect and cost-effectiveness of such programmes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huan Zhao ◽  
Xi Li ◽  
Junhua Wang ◽  
Wen Wang ◽  
Chunyan Yang ◽  
...  

AbstractMen who have sex with men (MSM) are potentially at high risk for HIV infection, their HIV prevalence far exceeds the national prevalence rate. There are also a number of MSM who have sex with women, mostly unprotected, which can transmit HIV to their female sexual partners and even to the next generation. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the prevalence of heterosexual behaviors in Chinese men who have sex with men and the status of condom utilization as well as HIV infection among MSM with heterosexual behaviors, so as to further improve the investigation and prevention and control of AIDS in MSM population. We systematically searched China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Calligraphy (VIP), Pubmed, and Embase following certain retrieval strategies to find relevant articles published from January 1, 2015 to November 18, 2019, The useful information extracted from qualified articles, Stata 15.1 and Review Manager 5.3 were employed for further meta analysis. The estimated prevalence of heterosexual behaviors among MSM in the past year was 19.0% (95% CI 17.0%, 22.0%). The estimated condom utilization rate of the last heterosexual behavior among MSM and condom adherence rate of heterosexual behaviors among MSM were 51.0% (95% CI 44.0%, 58.0%) and 31.0% (95% CI 25.0%, 38.0%), respectively. And the pooled HIV prevalence in MSM with heterosexual behaviors was 9% (95% CI 6%, 13%). The sensitivity analysis showed that the results were stable. No publication bias was found by Egger’s test. There is a high proportion of MSM with heterosexual behaviors and low condom utilization in China. HIV prevalence in MSM with heterosexual behaviors is also high. Therefore, adequate attention should be given to this particular group and measures should be taken in order to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV from subpopulations to the general population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Mao ◽  
Sequoia I. Leuba ◽  
Qinghai Hu ◽  
Hongjing Yan ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is limited information about the types of recreational drugs used by men who have sex with men (MSM) in China or the consequent impact on sexual health and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition. Methods We recruited MSM from seven cities in China between 2012 and 2013 using multiple approaches including advertisements on gay websites, collaborating with local MSM community-based organizations, peer referrals, and venues such as gay bars and bathrooms visited by MSM. We divided participants into four subgroups based on the number of recreational drugs (RDs) used in the previous 6 months. We defined use of multiple RDs as use of ≥2 types of RDs. Demographics and HIV-related high-risk behaviors were collected, and blood samples were tested for recent HIV infection by the HIV-1 subtypes B, E, and D immunoglobulin G capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA). We used multivariable logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographics to determine the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the subgroups of RD use for recent or established HIV infection. Results A total of 4496 Chinese MSM participated; 28.4% used RDs, and 5% used multiple types of RDs. The prevalence of each RD use was as follows: poppers (25.9%), ecstasy (2.4%), ketamine (1.2%), amphetamine (0.6%), tramadol (0.4%), methamphetamine (3.8%), and codeine (1.9%). Users of multiple RDs commonly used poppers combined with one or more other types of RDs. Multiple RD users were likely to be aged 26–30 years (vs. 18–25 and > 30 years), live in non-local cities (vs. local cities), never married (vs. married), have a high monthly income (vs. no income and 1–599 USD), use versatile positions during anal intercourse (vs. top or bottom), and have inadequate HIV-related prevention knowledge (vs. adequate). As the number of RDs used in the previous 6 months increased, the prevalence of HIV-related high-risk behaviors increased (P < 0.05 for all). The odds of recent HIV infection were higher among those who used one type (aOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.5–3.0) or two types of RD (aOR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.0-5.2) in the previous 6 months compared to the odds among those who did not use RDs. Conclusion The level and pattern of multiple RD use among Chinese MSM were different from high-income countries. MSM who used more RDs are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors, and these behaviors may be associated with increases in new HIV infections.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 2976-2982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Wang ◽  
Guohui Wu ◽  
Rongrong Lu ◽  
Liangui Feng ◽  
Yan Xiao ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A246.1-A246
Author(s):  
M Pylli ◽  
V Raftopoulos ◽  
N Middleton ◽  
A Charalambous ◽  
D Paraskeva

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (14) ◽  
pp. 1407-1416 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Desai ◽  
F Burns ◽  
G Schembri ◽  
D Williams ◽  
A Sullivan ◽  
...  

Men who have sex with men (MSM) attending sexual health (SH) clinics are at high risk for HIV acquisition and are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We collected standardised behavioural data from MSM attending clinics to characterise sexual behaviours and identify predictors for HIV and STIs. In 2012–2013, HIV-negative MSM attending five SH clinics in England reported sexual behaviours in the previous three months via a self-administered questionnaire. Behaviours were linked to the individual’s clinical records using national surveillance. The prevalence and incidence of bacterial STIs (gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, lymphogranuloma venereum and syphilis) and incidence of HIV were calculated. Adjusted odds ratios and hazard ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported for significant predictors. Of 1278 HIV-negative MSM, 54% were of white ethnicity and UK-born and 43% were 25–34 years old. Almost all men reported at least one partner in the last three months. Half reported condomless anal sex and 36% condomless receptive anal intercourse (CRAI). Incidence of bacterial STIs was 46/100 (95%CI 39–54) person years (py) and of HIV was 3.1/100 (95%CI 1.7–5.6) py. A STI at baseline and CRAI with increasing numbers of partners were associated with both incident infections. In this cohort of MSM high-risk behaviours and STIs were prevalent. Engagement in CRAI increased the likelihood of subsequent infection, while men diagnosed with a bacterial STI were at increased risk of a future STI. Clinical and behavioural risk assessments to determine an individual’s risk of infection could allow a more nuanced prevention approach that has greater success in reducing transmission.


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