B Zhang1, X Li, T Hu. 1. Sex Health Center, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To understand the high risk behaviors related to acquired immunologic deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in mainland China. METHODS: A self-administrated anonymous mail survey was carried out in MSM throughout the mainland of China in 1999. RESULTS: One thousand eight hundred questionnaires were mailed out and 729 effective questionnaires were collected. The response rate was 40.5%. The average age of subjects was 31 years old. Their average age at first sexual intercourse with a man was 18.6 years old. Average number of male sexual partners were 39.2 out of which 75.7% reported having had anus-intercourse. In the latest year, 63.6% reported ever having sex with strange men, 39.8% reported ever having group sex, 9.3% reported having sold sex and 3.8% having bought sex. 50% of them reported ever having sex with women. One hundred thirty-three reported having been diagnosed STD. Sixty-two reported having tested for HIV antibody and 11 were positive. Two-thirds reported ever using a condom when having sex. CONCLUSION: High risk sexual behaviors were prevalent among MSM in mainland China with HIV infection rate already reaching a high level. Women having sex with MSM are at a greater risk of HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE: To understand the high risk behaviors related to acquired immunologic deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in mainland China. METHODS: A self-administrated anonymous mail survey was carried out in MSM throughout the mainland of China in 1999. RESULTS: One thousand eight hundred questionnaires were mailed out and 729 effective questionnaires were collected. The response rate was 40.5%. The average age of subjects was 31 years old. Their average age at first sexual intercourse with a man was 18.6 years old. Average number of male sexual partners were 39.2 out of which 75.7% reported having had anus-intercourse. In the latest year, 63.6% reported ever having sex with strange men, 39.8% reported ever having group sex, 9.3% reported having sold sex and 3.8% having bought sex. 50% of them reported ever having sex with women. One hundred thirty-three reported having been diagnosed STD. Sixty-two reported having tested for HIV antibody and 11 were positive. Two-thirds reported ever using a condom when having sex. CONCLUSION: High risk sexual behaviors were prevalent among MSM in mainland China with HIV infection rate already reaching a high level. Women having sex with MSM are at a greater risk of HIV infection.