Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in southwest China is still increasing. This study aimed to investigate the trend in HIV incidence and its associated risk factors among MSM in Chengdu, China.MethodIncidence data were collected from the largest local non-governmental organization (NGO) serving MSM in Chengdu between 2012 and 2018, while information on sexual behaviors was collected from 2014. All MSM who received voluntary counseling and testing services (VCT) in the collaborating NGO at least twice during the study period were included. We calculated the HIV incidence density among MSM every 2 years and the overall incidence rate. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to identify risk factors for HIV infection.ResultA total of 4578 HIV-negative participants were included in the cohort. The total incidence density was 5.95 (95% CI: 5.37–6.56)/100 person-years (PYs) between 2012 and 2018. The segmented incidence density was 9.02 (95% CI: 7.46–10.78), 5.85 (95% CI: 4.86–6.97), 5.43 (95% CI: 4.53–6.46), and 3.09 (95% CI: 2.07–4.41)/100 PYs in 2012–2013, 2014–2015, 2016–2017, and 2018, respectively. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, compared to participants without sexual partners within 6 months, MSM with one fixed partner (Adjusted Hazard Ratio, AHR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.44–3.19) and more than five partners (AHR = 2.24, 95% CI: 0.81–6.20) had increased risk of HIV infection. MSM who used condom inconsistently had a higher risk of HIV infection (AHR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.46–2.38) compared to consistent condom users.ConclusionThe decreased HIV incidence density among MSM was potentially related to the successful comprehensive HIV prevention strategies in Chengdu. Multiple male sexual partnerships and inconsistent condom use during anal intercourse were risk factors associated with HIV occurrence.
Highlights
The prevalence of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in southwest China is still increasing
Overall study design A retrospective cohort study of trends in HIV incidence among MSM was conducted in Chengdu from 2012 to 2018, with the assistance of the Chengdu Tongle Health Consulting Service Center, which is the largest local gayfriendly non-governmental organization (NGO)
Of 4578 HIV-negative MSM who were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study, 3168 (69.2%) MSM were younger than years old, and 1066 (23.3%) were between and 45 years old
Summary
The prevalence of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in southwest China is still increasing. This study aimed to investigate the trend in HIV incidence and its associated risk factors among MSM in Chengdu, China. The national statutory infectious diseases report showed that HIV/AIDS has always been the infectious disease with the highest rate of death in the past decade in China [3]. The national surveillance system reported that sexual transmission, especially male-to-male homosexual transmission, has become the major HIV transmission route in China [4, 6, 7]. The proportion of new HIV/AIDS cases reported yearly among MSM increased by more than 10 times in the last decade, from 2.5% in 2006 up to 28.3% in 2015 [8]. Studies have shown a rising trend in HIV prevalence among MSM, from 5.0% in 2009 to 6.9% in 2018 [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
