Prevalence and risk factors of HIV and syphilis, and knowledge and risk behaviors related to HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men in Chongqing, China

Predictors for HIV testing among Chinese workers in infrastructure construction enterprises in Kenya

BACKGROUND

There are increasing Chinese migrants in sub-Saharan Africa currently. Most of them are engaged in infrastructure construction. Research has shown that they stay at particular risk of HIV and are recommended for HIV testing. However, their HIV testing behavior, and its relevant factors, have not been researched among them by now. This study describes the recent HIV testing behavior and relevant factors among Chinese migrant workers in Kenya.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 110 male Chinese workers from six different Chinese infrastructure construction enterprises in Kenya. Furthermore, a two-stage cluster random sampling method was used to select participants. We used a questionnaire that included HIV testing history, demographic characteristics, and putative multilevel facilitators of HIV testing. Logistic regression was used to explore the predictors of recent HIV testing behavior among Chinese migrant workers in Kenya.

RESULT

Of the 110 participants, 30 (27.27%) were tested for HIV in the recent year. All participants were male, and the majority were married (73.2%). The mean age was 37.49 years (SD = 9.73; range: 23 to 63), and a considerable proportion refused to answer questions about transactional sexual behaviors in the last year. Most were able to obtain HIV-related information (91.8%) and were exposed to HIV-related information in the last year (68.2%), but only 47.6% had sufficient HIV knowledge. Nearly one-fifth of them believed that selling sex and paying for sex is acceptable. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that participants who could accept the 'pay for sex' (OR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.02, 7.36) and exposed to HIV related information (OR: 4.75; 95% CI: 1.29, 17.44) were more likely to test for HIV in the recent 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Higher current HIV test rates were associated with a more open sexual attitude towards paying for sex and being exposed to HIV-related information in the last year among Chinese workers in Kenya. More specific attention to HIV should be attached to this population to increase the rate of HIV testing among them.

Feasibility of Indirect Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-test Kits via WeChat Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: National Cross-sectional Study in China

Background

HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits are common in key sexually active populations. Direct secondary distribution of HIVST kits (DSDHK) is effective in improving the uptake of HIVST. However, there are concerns about the various limitations of DSDHK, including limited geographic reach, payment problems, and need for face-to-face interactions.

Objective

In this study, we aim to evaluate the feasibility and characteristics of indirect secondary distribution of HIVST kits (ISDHK) via WeChat (distributing HIVST application links and follow-up HIVST kits to partners) among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods

From October 2017 to September 2019, an HIVST recruitment advertisement was disseminated on the WeChat social media platform to invite MSM to apply for the HIVST kits (referred to as index participants [IPs]). All MSM participants were encouraged to distribute the HIVST application link to their friends and sexual partners (referred to as alters) through their social networks. All the alters were further encouraged to continue distributing the HIVST application link. All participants paid a deposit (US $7), which was refundable upon completion of the questionnaire, and uploaded the test results via a web-based survey system.

Results

A total of 2263 MSM met the criteria and successfully applied for HIVST. Of these, 1816 participants returned their HIVST results, including 1422 (88.3%) IPs and 394 (21.7%) alters. More alters had condomless anal intercourse, a higher proportion of them had never previously tested for HIV, and they showed a greater willingness to distribute HIVST kits to their sexual partners (P=.002) than the IPs. After controlling for age, education, and income, the alters had a greater proportion of MSM who had never tested for HIV before (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.29, 95% CI 1.00-1.68), were more willing to distribute the HIVST application link (aOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.21-2.40), had a lower number of sexual partners (aOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.90), and were less likely to search for sexual partners on the web (aOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.60-1.02) than IPs. In comparison, the rates of reactive HIVST results, conducting HIV confirmatory tests, HIV seropositivity, and initiation of HIV antiretroviral therapy were similar for IPs and alters.

Conclusions

The ISDHK model of distributing HIVST application links among the MSM population via social media is feasible. The ISDHK model should be used to supplement the DSDHK model to enable a greater proportion of the MSM population to know their HIV infection status.

Service acceptance of HIV non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis(nPEP) among college students: a cross-sectional study in China

Background

College students were the key group we should pay more attention for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention and control in recent years in China. Few studies of HIV non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) knowledge and service acceptance had been conducted among them in China. This study conducted a cross-sectional survey to understand the service acceptance of nPEP and its influencing factors among college students in the three cities of China.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information on socio-demographic, behavioral characteristic, HIV/AIDS knowledge, nPEP knowledge, acceptance of nPEP services among the college students in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Kunming of China from March to April of 2019. Each participant completed an anonymous questionnaire on line by computer-assisted or mobile phone-assisted self-interview with informed consent. Multivariable logistic regression analyses identified predictors for service acceptance of nPEP.

Results

A total of 4698 students were surveyed with the average age of 20 years old. 98.0% (4605/4698) of them were undergraduates, 21.8%(1022/4698) had sexual intercourse; 48.6% (2282/4698) heard of nPEP, among which 4.95%(113/2282) received nPEP services. The awareness rate of HIV/AIDS knowledge was 85.6% (5495/4698) with the differences statistically significant between the three cities. The awareness rate of nPEP knowledge was 16.5% (774/4698). There were significant differences in receiving nPEP services among students of different ages, genders, sexual behaviors, and knowledge of HIV/AIDS by univariate analysis. Multivariable analyses indicated that age group of 18 and under (OR = 2.551, 95% CI = 1.153–5.646), male (OR = 3.131, 95% CI = 1.866–5.253), homosexual behavior (OR = 4.661,95%CI = 2.658–8.172), heterosexual behavior (OR = 1.676, 95% CI = 1.040–2.947), no awareness of AIDS knowledge (OR = 3.882, 95% CI = 2.371–6.356) and nPEP (OR = 4.788, 95% CI = 2.50–9.169) knowledge, were associated with the service acceptance of nPEP among the college students.

Conclusion

The low acceptance of nPEP services was mainly affected by low level of nPEP knowledge among the college students. Further publicity and education of nPEP knowledge were necessary, as well as promotion of knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. More attention should be paid to the factors associated with acceptance of nPEP services.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Jimma Teacher Training College Students Toward Risky Sexual Behaviors, Jimma, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

College students represent the huge section of teenagers in Ethiopia, and a growing number of them practice unsafe sex and hence face unwanted sexual health outcomes. Despite this, little has been explored about the college students' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) in the study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and the practice of Jimma teacher training college students toward RSBs, Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia, in 2018.

METHODS

An institution-based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected through a pretested, structured, and self-administered questionnaire. A total of 395 respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The collected data were checked manually for completeness and consistency, entered into Epi-data, version 3.1, data entry software, and exported to SPSS, version 20, statistical software for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the outcome and explanatory variables.

RESULTS

Among the total 360 respondents, 140 (38.9%) had poor knowledge of RSBs. The majority 78 (36.6%) of the respondents described radio as their main source of information about RSBs. More than three-quarters, 163 (76.6%) respondents define practicing oral and/or anal sex as RSBs and 194 (91%) reported sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS as the main consequence of RSBs. This study also revealed 156 (43.4%) participants had an unfavorable attitude toward RSBs. 60 (16.7%) participants disagree with the idea that condoms prevent HIV/AIDS and nearly all respondents (340 [94.5%]) agreed homosexuality brings sexual risks. Among those who had sexual experience, 83 (32.4%) had 2 or more sexual partners, more than two-third (176 [68.8%]) had sexual practice after drinking alcohol, and 90 (35.1%) participants reported they did not use a condom when they had sex.

CONCLUSION

A significant percentage of the students have poor knowledge, attitude, and practice toward RSBs. Tesfaye Y, Agenagnew L. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Jimma Teacher Training College Students Toward Risky Sexual Behaviors, Jimma, Ethiopia. Sex Med 2020;8:554-564.

Epidemiological characteristics of HIV infection among college students in Nanjing, China: a cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) among HIV-positive college students.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Five districts of Nanjing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 156 college students with newly diagnosed HIV infection between September 2015 and July 2017.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Social-demographic characteristics, mode of HIV acquisition, infection of sexually transmitted diseases, risky sexual behaviours and HIV/AIDS-related KAP were collected by a face-to-face questionnaire administered by trained interviewers.

RESULTS

About 98.7% (154/156) of HIV-positive college students in our study were men, and 96.1% (148/154) of them were infected by sexual intercourse with men. More than half (52.5%, 82/156) of participants were freshmen or sophomores. Nearly 30% (44/154) of male students did not realise the severe status of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among students who are men who have sex with men (MSM). More than four-fifths of male students did not know if their male regular (83.0%, 93/112) or casual (95.9%, 94/98) sexual partners were HIV-positive, while less than half of them had high-risk perceptions towards HIV infection from male regular and occasional sexual partners. Approximately one-half and four-fifths of male students had more than two regular (54.5%, 61/112) and occasional (79.6%, 78/98) partners during lifetime, respectively. However, only 62.5% (70/112) and 66.3% (65/98) of male students used condoms consistently during sexual intercourse with regular and casual partners, respectively. Geosocial networking apps have become the most dominant way for male students to seek sexual partners.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reported a low level of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, a high level of exposure to risky sexual behaviours and some valuable epidemiological characteristics among HIV-positive college students, which highlighted the importance of carrying out HIV/AIDS prevention education and risk warning education early and timely towards college students on campus.

Hepatitis A outbreak in HIV-infected patients in Southeastern France: questions and responses?

During the 2017 European hepatitis A (HA) outbreak we assessed HA incidence in our cohort of 2300 HIV-infected patients, implemented preventive measures and evaluated practices and knowledge on sexually transmitted diseases (STD). HA incidence was assessed between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017 and included all symptomatic patients with virologically confirmed HA. Preventive measures consisted in identifying at risk and not immunised patients to propose them a free HAV vaccination, and an anonymous survey related to transmission routes of STD and to sexual behaviours. Twenty HA were diagnosed. All were homosexual men recently diagnosed with HIV and another STD. None were vaccinated against hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hospitalisation was required for 52%. We identified 250 patients at risk to acquire HAV and invited them to a free immunisation program. A total of 110 (44%) were vaccinated, of whom 74 responded to our survey. A majority of them (84%) reported recent active anal and oral sexuality with multiple (52%) male partners (81%), and ChemSex consumption (14%). Internet was the meeting link for 58%. Another STD history was found in 69%. One third of these individuals had no idea about STD transmission modes. This HA outbreak pointed the insufficient vaccine coverage against HAV and knowledge on STD, which may be improved by Internet.

HIV incidence and cohort retention among men who have sex with men in Hangzhou, China: A prospective cohort study

Prospective cohort studies have been conducted to estimate HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in first-line megacities cities (>10 million residents) in China, but few in the second-line large- or middle-size cities. This study was to investigate HIV incidence and cohort retention among MSM in a second-line city Hangzhou in eastern China.A total of 523 HIV-seronegative MSM were recruited during September 2014 to September 2015, and were followed up prospectively at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Questionnaire interviews were conducted, and laboratory tests were performed to evaluate baseline syphilis infection and HIV seroconversions. Chi-square test and logistic regression model were used to identify factors associated with cohort retention rate and syphilis prevalence.Of 523 participants, 137 (26.2%) completed 6-month follow-up, and use of Internet for recruiting study participants (vs other recruitments: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.3-0.8) and being homosexual (vs heterosexual or bisexual: AOR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.9) were associated with lower cohort retention. The overall HIV incidence during 12 months of follow-up was 6.6 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 3.4-9.8/100 PY). The prevalence of syphilis at baseline was 6.5% (95% CI: 4.4%-8.6%), and disclosing sexual orientation (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.9) was associated with lower risk of syphilis infection.HIV is spreading rapidly among MSM in the second-line Chinese city. Effective interventions are needed to target this population in both first-line megacities and second-line large and middle-size cities.

The characteristics of mixing patterns of sexual dyads and factors correlated with condomless anal intercourse among men who have sex with men in Guangzhou, China

Background

The HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China has increased yearly. This study aimed to explore the association between the characteristics of social communication and condomless anal intercourse (CAI) among MSM and the implications for prevention and control of HIV among MSM in China using an egocentric network framework.

Methods

The data were collected in Guangzhou between November 2016 and May 2017 through standardized face-to-face interviews. The participants were recruited among MSM who received voluntary counselling and testing services (VCT) provided by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We used the framework of the egocentric network analysis, the odd ratios of CAI were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE).

Results

In total, 1073 MSM who nominated 2667 sexual partners were sampled. MSM who were approximately 30 years old and chose sexual partners of different age category were more likely to engage in CAI. Participants with high level education who were in partnerships with individuals with lower education levels had a higher risk of CAI. Participants who reported having a strong relationship with their sexual partners(AOR = 1.31) were associated with a higher probability of experiencing CAI during sex; while having sexual partners who were unmarried (OR = 0.56), and participants who reported meeting sexual partners online (AOR = 0.74) or, having sex with an occasional partner (AOR = 0.44)were less likely to engage in CAI.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that the strength of sexual dyadic relational ties and different social communication mixing patterns across ages, educational categories, and marital status were associated with CAI.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7082-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Trends in the incidence of AIDS and epidemiological features in Tianjin, China from 2005 to 2016

The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiological trends among patients with AIDS in Tianjin, China. A long-term surveillance study was conducted from 2005 to 2016 in Tianjin, China. All patients with AIDS registered in Tianjin from 2005 to 2016 were recruited to this study. Demographic information and clinical features were recorded. A total of 3062 patients with AIDS who were treated with antiretroviral therapy were included in this study. Among AIDS patients, men were more likely to be younger than women (age, 37.84 years vs. 43.27 years; P < 0.001). The incidence of AIDS increased by 39.6% annually over the past 12 years overall. There was the greatest increase (by 44.7%) for homosexual route. Moreover, the proportion of patients aged < 30 years increased considerably over the 12-year study period, while there was a decrease in the proportion of patients aged ≥ 35 years. The frequency of homosexual transmission increased by 86% from before 2011 to 2016, but the frequency of heterosexual transmission decreased by 49%. The frequency of transmission through intravenous drug use decreased in men and patients aged 25–29 years. For those infected through homosexual transmission, there was a significant increase in the numbers of patients aged 20–24 years and 25–29 years. It is important for developing countries to effectively prevent and control the transmission of HIV/AIDS; in particular, it is crucial to promote disease education and sexual protection among young men.