Epidemiological characteristic of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases with non-martial and non-commercial heterosexual behaviors in Zhejiang province, 2017-2019

Abstract

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics and transmission routes of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases with non-martial and non-commercial (NMNC) heterosexual behaviors in Zhejiang province. Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted among HIV/AIDS cases that had NMNC heterosexual behavior history and diagnosed with HIV infection in Zhejiang between January 1st, 2017 and September 30th, 2019. The multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was used to explore the association of social demographic characteristics with NMNC heterosexual partner types in the cases. Results: A total of 406 participants with NMNC heterosexual behaviors before HIV diagnoses were recruited in this study. Most of them were males (67.2%, 273/406), aged 25-49 years at HIV diagnoses (59.1%, 240/406). Prior to HIV infection confirmation, 36.0% (146/406) participants only had casual sexual partners, 52.0% (211/406) only had regular sexual partners, and 12.0% (49/406) had both. Statistical differences in marital status, occupation and income level were found among participants with different types of NMNC heterosexual partners (all P<0.05). Result of MCA indicted that monthly income ≤3 000 yuan RMB, self-employed, being married were only associated with casual NMNC heterosexual partner; working in service industry, education level of junior high school were only associated with regular heterosexual partner; working in enterprise, high school education level or above, monthly income ≥5 000 yuan RMB were associated with both casual and regular sexual partner. Conclusion: The HIV/AIDS cases with NMNC heterosexual behaviors before HIV diagnoses accounted for a large proportion in Zhejiang province during 2017-2019. Active intervention efforts should be made to improve the health awareness of the public to reduce the risk behaviors for HIV transmission.