Relations between high risk sexual behavior and HIV infection among men who have sex with men in ways of meeting male partners

Abstract

Objective: To understand the relations between high risk sexual behavior and HIV infection among MSM in ways of finding male partners in Ningbo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ningbo between April and November in 2018. Data related to socio-demographics, ways of finding male partners, adoption of gay apps and sexual behaviors were collected by snowball method. Blood samples were drawn for HIV antibody testing. Classified data was evaluated by chi-square test. Related factors on HIV infection were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 735 participants were included in this study. Ways of finding male partners would through gay apps (60.8%, 447/735), QQ/Wechat (32.3%, 237/735) and gay-places (6.9%, 51/735). Related information on high risk sexual behavior and HIV infection among gay apps users were found as: 16.8%(75) had sexual behavior once per week in the past 6 months, 41.8% (187/447) had multiple sexual partners, 12.1% (54/447) had unprotected anal intercourse in the last time, 52.3% (234/447) having had unprotected anal intercourse in the past 6 months. The overall HIV prevalence rate was 12.1%(54/447). Among the HIV cases who got infected within the two years, 68.6%(24/35) of them had used gay apps for less than two years. Results from the, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gay apps users were more susceptible to infected HIV than those who used the QQ/Wechat (OR=3.03, 95%CI: 1.30-7.07). Conclusions: Gay apps was popularly known among the Ningbo MSM, and was associated with the high risk sexual behaviors and HIV infection. HIV control and prevention programs should be strengthened in the MSM population who used the gay apps. Related surveillance and intervention programs for MSM, who use the gay apps, need to be further reinforced.