Abstract P328: Current Status Of HIV-infected Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Real-world Cross-sectional Study In Underdeveloped Southwest China

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) remains high and has shown an upward trend in China. However, the status of HIV-infected MSM in the underdeveloped southwest of China is unknown. The study aimed to evaluate the real-world status of HIV-infected MSM and to compare the characteristics between HIV-infected ‘men who have sex with men only’ (MSMO) and ‘men who have sex with men and women’ (MSMW). Method: The study was conducted with HIV-infected MSM patients in Chongqing in 2017. A questionnaire addressing socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, condom use, clinical signs and symptoms, and HIV detection and transmission routes was used. Results: A total of 865 HIV-infected MSM were enrolled. More than 70% of MSM had experienced their first sexual intercourse before 20 years old. More than 55.8% of the patients had a high income. Compared with MSMW, more MSMO went to college (60.2% vs. 48.7%), and more often (20.9% vs. 8.7%) use condom during anal sex. Weight loss was the most common sign (15.1%). The numbers of male partners and high-risk sexual behaviors among HIV-infected MSM remained high (30.6%), and few patients (4.6%) agreed to voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). Routine health examination was the most frequently (72.7%) used detection method . Homosexual behavior may be the most frequent transmission route (87.9%) among HIV-infected MSMO and MSMW. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the government should promote more prevention strategies against HIV transmission and detection among MSM.