HIV testing and sexual risks among migrant men who have sex with men: findings from a large cross-sectional study in Beijing, China

AIDS Care. 2018 Jan;30(1):86-94. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1381331. Epub 2017 Sep 25.

Abstract

Despite the exacerbating HIV transmission among migrant men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, few epidemiological studies explore their HIV testing/risk profiles. We sought to explore sociodemographic/behavioral correlates of HIV/syphilis and HIV testing among migrant MSM. A study was conducted among 3,588 HIV-uninfected MSM. Participants were recruited via short message services, peer referral, web-advertisement and community outreach. HIV/syphilis infections were lab-confirmed. Migrant MSM were more likely to be HIV-infected compared to local MSM. Among 2,699 migrant MSM, HIV testing was associated with older age, living longer in Beijing, having ≥10 lifetime male sexual partners (LMSPs), having insertive anal sex; while being unemployed/retired and having condomless receptive anal sex (CRAS) were associated with a lower odds of HIV testing. Being married, living longer in Beijing, ever testing for HIV and having sex with women were associated with lower HIV odds; while being unemployed/retired, having higher HIV perception, having ≥ 10 LMSPs and having CRAS were associated a higher HIV odds. Increased likelihood of syphilis was associated with older age, being employed, higher HIV perception, having ≥10 LMSPs and having CRAS. Our study provides implications for targeted interventions to tackle HIV/STI risks and improve HIV testing among migrant Chinese MSM.

Keywords: China; HIV; HIV testing; men who have sex with men; migrant; syphilis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Serologic Tests
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Syphilis / diagnosis
  • Syphilis / epidemiology
  • Syphilis / prevention & control
  • Transients and Migrants*