Abstract
BackgroundThe upsurge in HIV infections among students is a matter of particular concern. However, few studies have explored the epidemiological characteristics including the risky sexual networking of HIV-infected students in Zhejiang province, China.MethodsUsing the provincial surveillance data of HIV-infected students, we conducted a retrospective epidemiology study to describe the epidemiological characteristics of 628 newly diagnosed cases from 2011 to 2016 and detailed information of 124 cases from 2015 to 2016. Spatial analyses were conducted using ArcGIS software, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.ResultsA total of 628 cases of HIV/AIDS were diagnosed among students in Zhejiang Province, China between 2011 and 2016. The cases showed an overall increasing trend over time, while the proportions of students with HIV disease status, cases diagnosed by HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), and cases of homosexual transmission remained stable over time. Significant spatial heterogeneity in the cases was seen at the county level. Detailed data on 124 HIV-positive individuals collected from the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2015 and 2016, showed that the majority of them (85.5%,) engaged in homosexual behavior, and 93.4% had sex with casual partners. These partners included not only social members, but also other students. Online dating applications represented the most common means of seeking and communicating with homosexual partners. The level of awareness regarding the risk of HIV infection, and the amount coverage of face-to-face education towards students were both low.ConclusionsHIV infections among students were characterized by increasing trend and spatial clustering in Zhejiang Province between 2011 and 2016, with homosexual sexual activity being the main mode of infection. Interventions are urgently required to prevent HIV infection in this population by increasing awareness of the disease. HIV testing programs and information regarding disease prevention specifically through online dating applications are needed.
Highlights
The upsurge in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among students is a matter of particular concern
HIV-infected students in this study were defined as HIV-positive individuals who were students and diagnosed by physicians at the medical institutions in Zhejiang Province based on national standards [19,20,21]
Data on the sociodemographic characteristics, disease status, routes of transmission, and risky behaviors were collected by the staff of the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) using standardized forms and face-to-face interviews conducted in a private room
Summary
Few studies have explored the epidemiological characteristics including the risky sexual networking of HIV-infected students in Zhejiang province, China. The upsurge in HIV cases among students is a matter of particular concern [3]. Several factors increase the risk of HIV infection among students, including inadequate sex education at school, earlier onset of sexual activity, and low awareness of methods of self-protection [5, 6]. Another critical factor is the use of mobile phones and social media among students; these platforms have increased the number of people with whom students can interact socially [7]. Few studies have attempted to assess the risk of infection, or describe the epidemiological characteristics of HIV-infected students in detail
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