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Hong C, Yu F, Xue H, Zhang D, Mi G. HIV Testing Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China: Implications for Promoting HIV Self-Testing Among Key Populations. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2022; 36:451-457. [PMID: 36394476 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2022.0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional barriers to accessing sexual health services among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in China. Yet, little is known about the frequency of HIV testing and how GBMSM get tested during the pandemic. We surveyed an online sample of GBMSM recruited on a gay networking app in China. Among 956 sexually active, 70.1% had received an HIV test in the past 6 months. Among these, 61.0% reported having undergone HIV self-testing (HIVST). Young GBMSM aged 18-24 years old were more likely to receive a recent HIV test, and the number of sexual partners was associated with recent HIV testing [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.20]. Among those who had a recent HIV test, young GBMSM and those who had anal sex with both main partner and casual partners were more likely to utilize HIVST (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.16-2.84), as well as GBMSM who did not use a condom the last time engaged in anal sex (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.06-2.34). Among GBMSM never tested for HIV, a majority perceived low risk of HIV, while some suggested that they did not know where to get tested or they were scared of finding out they had HIV. HIVST has the potential to fill the gap in HIV testing among Chinese GBMSM, and future HIV testing programs should emphasize HIV education, accurate information dissertation, and timely point-to-care services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglin Hong
- Department of Social Welfare, UCLA Luskin of Public Affairs, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Fei Yu
- Danlan Beijing Media Limited, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Xue
- Danlan Beijing Media Limited, Beijing, China
| | - Dapeng Zhang
- National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Guodong Mi
- Danlan Beijing Media Limited, Beijing, China
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Galvan FH, Liu H, Brooks RA, Chen YT, Mendoza Lepe R. Using social and sexual networking mobile applications to promote HIV testing, medical care and prevention services among Latino men who have sex with men in Los Angeles County, California, USA. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268406. [PMID: 35560041 PMCID: PMC9106153 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV disproportionately affects Latinos versus Whites, with Latinos having higher rates of HIV. Additionally, many HIV-positive Latinos are unaware of their infection. Proyecto Protégete, an HIV prevention intervention developed for Latino men who have sex with men (MSM), used social and sexual networking mobile applications (apps) to recruit individuals for HIV testing and linkage to medical care and prevention services. This study occurred in Los Angeles County, California, USA from December 18, 2015 to April 22, 2017. The study’s primary aim was to assess Proyecto Protégete‘s ability to successfully recruit Latino MSM involved in high-risk sexual activities. A secondary aim was to evaluate its capacity to promote HIV testing and linkage to HIV medical care and prevention services among this population by comparing it to two programs with similar samples. Comparisons using Fisher’s Exact Test were conducted between Proyecto Protégete and the HIV testing program of the agency in which Proyecto Protégete was located and the County-funded HIV testing programs to compare the samples’ rates of HIV-positive Latino MSM identified through HIV testing and linked to HIV medical care and prevention services. Participants were recruited through seven apps. In Proyecto Protégete, 9,573 individuals completed the screener, 4,657 were eligible, and 359 (7.7% of those eligible) enrolled. Among those enrolled, 79% reported anal sex without a condom in the previous twelve months; 51% reported anal sex under the influence of alcohol. The HIV positivity rates were as follows: Proyecto Protégete, 1.71%; the agency, 1.25% (p = .293, compared to Proyecto Protégete); and the County, 1.09% (p = .172, compared to Proyecto Protégete). The rates of those confirmed as new HIV-positives and linked to medical care within 30 days were as follows: Proyecto Protégete, 71.4%; the agency, 81.5% (p = .450, compared to Proyecto Protégete); and the County, 77.3% (p = .503, compared to Proyecto Protégete). Proyecto Protégete had a higher rate of linked referrals to prevention services than the agency’s testing program (19.5% versus 8.3%, p < .001). Proyecto Protégete experienced successes in some areas but not in others. Future research should build on Proyecto Protégete’s experiences to promote HIV-related services among Latino MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank H. Galvan
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Bienestar Human Services, Inc., Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Honghu Liu
- Division of Public Health & Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Division of General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ronald A. Brooks
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Bienestar Human Services, Inc., Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ying-Tung Chen
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Bienestar Human Services, Inc., Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ricardo Mendoza Lepe
- Department of Research and Evaluation, Bienestar Human Services, Inc., Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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