Barcelona 2013
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| Abstract #188 - Testing | ||||
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Session: 4.1: Testing (Parallel) on Monday @ 11.00-13.00 in Teatre Chaired by Lorna Leal, Frans van den Boom Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Zixin Wang - The Jockey Club School of Public Health, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong |
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| Additional Authors: | ||||
| Aim: The prevalence of HIV has been increasing sharply among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is a key measure for case detection and disease prevention and free VCT is available to MSM in most Chinese cities. High risk MSM such as those having had unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with men, are recommended to take up VCT once every six months. Both positive and negative effects of repeated testing need to be understood. In this cohort study, we recorded increases in HIV-related risk behaviors (i.e. unprotected anal intercourse, multiple partnership and frequency of anal sex), comparing data of Month 21 and of the pre-baseline period (3-month period prior to the baseline visit) among MSM that received multiple episodes of VCT during the study period in Beijing, China. We also investigated associated factors of such self-reported increases in risk behaviors. | ||||
| Method / Issue: In an incidence study, a cohort of MSM received VCT at baseline visit, Month 6, 12 and 18 at a clinic. The 342 participants of the cohort attending the Month 18 visit (42.3% of those joining the cohort at the baseline) were invited to return at Month 21 for follow-up (another VCT and a short survey) and 228 (66.7%) were present. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Of the 228 participants that were followed up at Month 21, 92.5% had received at least four times of VCT over the study period. Despite such VCT experiences, high levels of risk behaviors were reported at Month 21 - 70% of them had had multiple male sex partners in the last three months and the prevalence of UAI in the last three months was 57.1%. Comparing Month 21 data against the pre-baseline period data, a noticeable proportion of participants self-reported that they had had more regular male sex partners (8.8%), more non-regular sex partners (9.7%), more male sex partners of any type (15.4%), increase in frequency of anal sex with men (16.2%), and increase in frequency of UAI with men (18%). Current marital status (with women), education level and age group were associated with self-reported increase in some of the aforementioned risk behaviors. | ||||
| Discussion: It is alarming that about one fifth of these MSM experiencing multiple rounds VCT would have increase, instead of decrease, in risk behaviors over time (UAI, frequency of anal sex, number of sex partners having had anal sex with). A review of various consequences of repeated VCT and specific counseling strategies targeting MSM is warranted. | ||||
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