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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:: To provide evidence for policy makers for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and control, we investigated HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the availability of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) among migrant drug users in Beijing. METHODS:: A total of 222 participants from 3 main communities where drug abusers reside were interviewed, completed a questionnaire, and were screened for HIV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, confirmed by Western blot. Descriptive statistics, χ tests, and binary logistic regression models were used to analyze differences in HIV and sexually transmitted diseases among different subpopulations. RESULTS:: The prevalence of HIV and syphilis in the migrant population was much higher than in permanent residents (43.0% vs 2.1% and 13.3% vs 4.3%, respectively). The HIV-infected cases in the migrant population were 33-fold higher than in permanent residents. Compared with permanent residents, the availability of MMT was much lower in the migrant population (21.9% vs 70.2%), and they were less knowledgeable about MMT (37.0% vs 84.0%). Even for those who were knowledgeable about MMT, methadone treatment was still lower (46.8% vs 82.3%). Compared with the MMT group, higher infection rates of HIV and HCV were found in the no-MMT group (36.7% vs 10.6% and 64.8% vs 50.0%, respectively). Education and employment status contributed to the different distributions between permanent residents and the migrant population and the MMT and no-MMT groups. CONCLUSIONS:: The prevalence of HIV, syphilis, and HCV infection was higher, and the use of MMT was lower in the migrant population. The migrant population is a noticeable challenge for HIV prevention and control in Beijing.
Journal of Addiction Medicine 10/2012; · 1.95 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study collected cross-sectional data from 307 young Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) to explore the characteristics of sexual communications, including target of communication (stable partners, casual partners), topics of communication (condom use, HIV/STDs prevention, and sexual history), and the associations between sexual communication characteristics and condom use. A variety of measures were employed to assess respondents' condom use with different sexual partners over different recall periods. Chi-square tests were employed to examine the relationships between sexual communication characteristics and condom use. This study found that sexual communications with regular partners about topics, such as condom use, HIV/STDs prevention, and current and past sexual relationship were associated with condom use with regular partners. Respondents who had sexual communications with both regular and casual partners were more likely to use condoms with their regular partners. The findings in the current study provided empirical evidence for the importance of frequent sexual communication between Chinese MSM and their sex partners.
Psychology Health and Medicine 06/2012; · 1.18 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, among men who have sex with men (MSM) has risen in China, mainly due to unprotected sexual intercourse. Migrant MSM might be more vulnerable to the risk of STIs/HIV because of their low socioeconomic status. This study aims at exploring the correlates of consistent condom use among young migrant MSM (aged 18-29 years) in Beijing.
Multivariate logistic regression analysis.
The mean age of the sample was 23.7 years. Rural-to-urban migrant MSM accounted for 46% of the sample, and urban-to-urban migrant MSM for 54%. Of 307 migrant MSM, 178 (54%) reported having used a condom every time in the last three sexual episodes with both stable and casual sexual partners. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MSM who had a low monthly income, had often experienced alcohol intoxication, did not use a condom at first sex, and had fewer lifetime male sexual partners were less likely to use condoms consistently.
Consistent condom use among young migrant MSM was relatively low and was associated with socioeconomic status and alcohol use. Future STIs/HIV prevention programmes should strengthen empowerment, access to condoms, and reduction of alcohol consumption within this socio-economically marginalised group.
The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care 06/2012; 17(3):219-28. · 1.46 Impact Factor
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Dongliang Li, Shuming Li,
Yingjie Liu,
Yanjie Gao,
Mingrun Yu,
Xueying Yang,
Qingchun Li,
Shulin Jiang,
Zhenhai Zhou,
Zheng Zhang,
Li Yan,
Guiyan Jiang,
Dong Xiao,
Stephen W Pan,
Fengji Luo,
Yuhua Ruan,
Yiming Shao
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ABSTRACT: (1) To assess the HIV incidence rate among men who have sex with men (MSM) in a large cohort study in Beijing, China and (2) to identify sociodemographic and behavioural risk factors of HIV seroconversion among MSM in Beijing, China.
A prospective cohort study.
Baseline and follow-up visits were conducted among MSM in Beijing, China.
A cohort of 797 HIV-seronegative MSM was recruited from August to December 2009, with follow-up occurring after 6 and 12 months. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: At baseline and follow-up visits, participants reported sociodemographic and sexual behaviour information, and were tested for HIV, herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) and syphilis with whole blood specimens. Cox regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HIV seroconversion.
Most study participants (86.8%) were retained by the 12-month follow-up. The HIV, HSV-2 and syphilis incidence rates were 8.09 (95% CI 6.92 to 9.26), 5.92 (95% CI 5.44 to 6.40) and 8.06 (95% CI 7.56 to 8.56) cases per 100 person-years, respectively. HIV seroconversion was significantly associated with being <25 years old, having <12 years of education, having >1 male sex partner in the past 6 months, and being syphilis positive or HSV-2 positive.
The HIV incidence among MSM in Beijing is serious. Interventions and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) should be combined with HIV control and prevention measures among MSM.
BMJ open. 01/2012; 2(6).
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Feng Zhou,
Lei Gao, Shuming Li,
Dongliang Li,
Lifen Zhang,
Wensheng Fan,
Xueying Yang,
Mingrun Yu,
Dong Xiao,
Li Yan,
Zheng Zhang,
Wei Shi,
Fengji Luo,
Yuhua Ruan,
Qi Jin
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the awareness and acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and potential predicting factors.
This study was conducted among MSM in Beijing, China. Study participants, randomly selected from an MSM cohort, completed a structured questionnaire, and provided their blood samples to test for HIV infection and syphilis. Univariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the factors associated with willingness to accept (WTA) PrEP. Factors independently associated with willingness to accept were identified by entering variables into stepwise logistic regression analysis.
A total of 152 MSM completed the survey; 11.2% had ever heard of PrEP and 67.8% were willing to accept it. Univariate analysis showed that age, years of education, consistent condom use in the past 6 months, heterosexual behavior in the past 6 months, having ever heard of PrEP and the side effects of antiretroviral drugs, and worry about antiretroviral drugs cost were significantly associated with willingness to accept PrEP. In the multivariate logistic regression model, only consistent condom use in the past 6 months (odds ratio [OR]: 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13-0.70) and having ever heard of the side effects of antiretroviral drugs (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.14-0.67) were independently associated with willingness to accept PrEP.
The awareness of PrEP in the MSM population was low. Sexual behavioral characteristics and knowledge about ART drugs may have effects on willingness to accept PrEP. Comprehensive prevention strategies should be recommended in the MSM community.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(3):e32329. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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Qingchun Li,
Yingjie Liu,
Zhenhai Zhou, Shuming Li,
Fengji Luo,
Dongliang Li,
Wei Shi,
Shulin Jiang,
Ye Yang,
Yujiang Jia,
Hui Xing,
Dong Xiao,
Yuhua Ruan,
Yiming Shao
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ABSTRACT: To investigate factors associated with online sex-seeking behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. MSM participants were recruited from two cohort studies with multiple enrollment methods from November 2006 to February 2007 and from March to June 2008, respectively. Data collected included demographics and sexual behaviors. Of the 901 participants, 68.1% were single; 69.3% were non-Beijing residents; 94.4% considered themselves to be homosexual; 65.2% received college or higher levels of education; the median age was 26 years; 73.0% sought male sex partners via the Internet in the past 3 months; 66.2% had ≥2 sex partners. Younger age, higher levels of education and having had ≥2 male sex partners in the past 3 months were independently associated with seeking sex partners on the Internet. These findings indicate that Internet-based intervention programs could encourage younger high-risk MSM to use condoms and reduce their numbers of sexual partners.
AIDS and Behavior 07/2011; 16(6):1690-8. · 3.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: HIV vaccine trials require volunteers. Little is known about willingness to participate (WTP) in HIV vaccine trials among Chinese MSM. A survey of 550 MSM was conducted from March to June 2008, in Beijing, China. Data were collected on demographics, behaviors, perceptions about HIV/AIDS and HIV vaccines, and concerns about participation in HIV vaccine clinical trials. Of study participants, 35.8% were definitely willing to participate, 35.1% were probably willing, 16.4% were probably not willing, and 12.7% were definitely not willing. Analyses suggest that perceived family support, perceived protection against HIV infection and fear that participation would result in social distancing were associated with WTP. MSM in China may be good candidates for HIV vaccine trials. Further studies are needed to evaluate actual enrollment.
Vaccine 06/2010; 28(29):4638-43. · 3.77 Impact Factor
