Changes in HIV prevalence and sexual behavior among men who have sex with men in a northern Chinese city: 2002–2006

• Published in: The Journal of infection Vol. 55; no. 5; pp. 456 - 463
• Main Authors: Zhang, Dapeng, Bi, Peng, lv, Fan, Zhang, Jie, Hiller, Janet E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Behavioral surveillance; Biological and medical sciences; China; China - epidemiology; Condoms - utilization; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; General aspects; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV/AIDS; Homosexuality, Male; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunodeficiencies; Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies; Immunopathology; Infectious Disease; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Men who have sex with men; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Sexual Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires; Unsafe Sex - statistics & numerical data; Urine - virology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Asia; China; China, People's Rep; HIV/AIDS; Behavioral surveillance; Prevalence; China; Men who have sex with men; Human; Immunopathology; Homosexuality; Sexual behavior; Male; AIDS; Epidemiology; Immune deficiency; Infection; Sexually transmitted disease; Anus; Viral disease
• ISSN: 0163-4453; 1532-2742
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2007.06.015

Summary Objective To examine HIV prevalence and sexual behavior changes among MSM in Harbin. Methods Three community-based cross-sectional surveys among MSM were conducted based on the same protocol and methodology in 2002, 2004 and 2006 in Harbin, China. Men who were eligible were interviewed with a standard questionnaire. Urine samples were collected to screen their HIV status. Results Among the MSM in Harbin, an increased trend was observed towards more self-identifying as homosexual (from 58% to 80%) and more living with a male partner (from 12% to 41%) over the study period. Although there was a trend towards a reduction in the rate of never using a condom and an increase in the rate of always using condoms during anal sex in the past six months, the prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) was still at a high level (from 90% in 2002 to 72% in 2006). The HIV prevalence in 2006 (2.2%, 15/674) was higher than that in other study years, but no statistically significant change was detected. Conclusions Although an increase in condom use and a decline in drug use, STD infection and commercial sex have been monitored under current HIV prevention strategies, the MSM in Harbin is still highly vulnerable to HIV transmission given a high level of UAI and an increasing number of male sexual partners over the study period.