Barriers to uptake of hepatitis C virus (HCV) health intervention among men who have sex with men in Southwest China: A qualitative study

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk of contracting the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Previous studies have documented low uptake of sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and health services among Chinese MSM. We carried out qualitative research among MSM in Southwest China. By taking the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inHealth & social care in the community Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 445 - 452
Main Authors Wang, Ruoxi, Cui, Nianqi, Long, Mengyun, Mu, Lihong, Zeng, Huan
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Hindawi Limited 01.03.2021
Subjects
attitudes
Blood diseases
Disease prevention
Gays & lesbians
Health behavior
health intervention
health knowledge
Health problems
Health services
Help seeking behavior
Hepatitis
Hepatitis C
hepatitis C virus
Heterosexuality
Intervention
Interviews
Men who have sex with men
Mens health
Mental health services
Motivation
practice
Prevention programs
Preventive medicine
Privacy
Qualitative research
Refusal
Sexuality
Sexually transmitted diseases
STD
Susceptibility
Uptake
Viruses
China
health knowledge
hepatitis C virus
practice
health intervention
men who have sex with men
attitudes
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Summary:Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk of contracting the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Previous studies have documented low uptake of sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and health services among Chinese MSM. We carried out qualitative research among MSM in Southwest China. By taking the Health Brief Model (HBM) as a framework, we aimed to determine the underlying factors related to use of HCV health intervention services among MSM. From May to July 2018, we conducted in‐depth interviews in Southwest China with 20 participants. Our research revealed that a lack of knowledge about HCV prevention was the main reason why MSM failed to perceive their susceptibility to HCV and had low motivation to seek preventive services. Poor service accessibility and unpleasant experiences seeing doctors also exerted negative influences on health care‐seeking behaviour in MSM. More trust and understanding needs to be built between health providers and MSM. Protection of privacy for MSM should be guaranteed in the delivery of health interventions. In addition, the interviewees showed refusal to engage with health interventions being specifically targeted at MSM, which would create a sense of being ‘labelled’. Tailored health interventions may overemphasise their sexuality, segregate them from heterosexuals, and make them feel alienated. Therefore, we speculate that differential treatment may be an obstacle for MSM to become involved in health interventions.
Bibliography:Funding information
This research was supported by the program named the Center of Excellence to Promote Best Practices of Hepatitis Prevention and Control in China from the Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control and Bristol‐Myers Squibb Foundation. It was also supported by the program (Grant number C12) from Xintu Community Health Promotion Center of Shanghai, China. The opinions expressed herein show the collective views of the coauthors and do not necessarily represent the position of the organizations above.
Wang and Cui contributed equally to this work and should be considered co‐first authors.
Mu and Zeng contributed equally to this work and should be considered co‐correspondence authors.
ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0966-0410
1365-2524
DOI:10.1111/hsc.13104