HIV Testing and Associated Factors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Changsha, China

Abstract

Promoting HIV testing is an important strategy to end the HIV epidemic. HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) has increased rapidly in China in recent years, but HIV testing rates are still low. Our cross-sectional study investigated HIV testing rates and analyzed associated factors in 565 MSM in Changsha between April and December 2014. In the previous year, 37.7% of participants had not been tested, 38.2% had had one test, and 24.1% had had two or more tests. Those who initiated sexual debut at an older age, had known someone infected with HIV, or had been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted illness (STI) were more likely to have had an HIV test. HIV intervention programs in China should focus on sexually active young MSM, integrate HIV testing and counseling services in STI clinics, and describe real experiences of living with HIV to improve HIV testing in MSM.

Internalized Sexual Minority Stigma is Associated With HIV Testing Behavior Among Chinese Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In comparison with other areas of Mainland China, the participants in this study had taken at least one HIV test during the past year at higher rates—78.9% in Hunan—compared with those reported rates in Chongqing (58%; Zhang et al, 2013b) and Nanjing (46%; Yan et al, 2016); our rates were comparable with those in Guangzhou (81%; Cheng et al, 2019). Compared with a cross-sectional study carried out in Hunan 3 years ago, the HIV testing proportion, based on our results, has increased from 62.3% (Zhou et al, 2018) to 79% because the local CDC has actively collaborated with gay-friendly CBOs—who can offer nonjudgmental, friendly health-related services to MSM—to offer HIV testing services. However, there is still a gap in achieving the “90-90-90” goal proposed by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS, 2017).…”

Prevalence and associated factors of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in Ningbo, China: a cross-sectional study

“…Our study showed that those MSM who were younger or high education levels were more likely to have had HIVST. It is possible that younger MSM had more worries about positive test results [ 11 ]. Worldwide, about 32% of new HIV infections among adults aged 15 years and older have occurred in youth ages 15–24 years in 2018 [ 4 ].…”

“…In China, an estimated less than 70% of PLWH were aware of their HIV-positive status by the end of 2018 [ 8 ]. HIV testing and early linkage to care were critical for reducing the risk of viral transmission from infected persons However, key population groups including MSM were unwilling to seek voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) in the hospital or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) due to stigma and discrimination [ 9 – 11 ].…”

Prevalence and Factors Associated With HIV Self-testing Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Ningbo, China: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Our study showed that those MSM who were younger or high education levels were more likely to have had HIVST. It is possible that younger MSM had more worries about positive test results 11 21 . Moreover, a larger proportion of HIVST Users had a higher income in our study.…”

“…In China, an estimated less than 70% of PLWH were aware of their HIV-positive status by the end of 2018 8 . HIV testing and early linkage to care are critical for reducing the risk of viral transmission from infected persons However, key population groups including MSM were unwilling to seek voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) in the hospital or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) due to stigma and discrimination [9][10][11] .…”