OBJECTIVES: To analyze characteristics of social and sexual networks and their role as risk factors for HIV and syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shanghai, China. DESIGN: : A cross-sectional study. METHODS: We recruited 477 participants using a snowball sampling method. We administered a face-to-face questionnaire and provided testing and counseling for HIV and syphilis. RESULTS: The prevalences of HIV and markers for syphilis were 1.47% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59 to 3.01) and 13.47% (95% CI: 10.53 to 16.88), respectively. The independent factors associated with lower risk for syphilis infection were having a contact network, overlap of social and sexual networks, meeting other MSM at the gym or through the Internet, having 3 to 5 lifetime male anal sex partners, and having a female steady sex partner. A larger male sexual network size, having been married, being more knowledgeable about HIV, having 6 or more lifetime male anal sex partners, and having steady male or female sex partners were independently associated with having unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: Significant associations were found between network characteristics and syphilis infection and unprotected sex. Network-based interventions should be developed to reduce this HIV risk among MSM in China.
OBJECTIVES: To analyze characteristics of social and sexual networks and their role as risk factors for HIV and syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shanghai, China. DESIGN: : A cross-sectional study. METHODS: We recruited 477 participants using a snowball sampling method. We administered a face-to-face questionnaire and provided testing and counseling for HIV and syphilis. RESULTS: The prevalences of HIV and markers for syphilis were 1.47% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59 to 3.01) and 13.47% (95% CI: 10.53 to 16.88), respectively. The independent factors associated with lower risk for syphilis infection were having a contact network, overlap of social and sexual networks, meeting other MSM at the gym or through the Internet, having 3 to 5 lifetime male anal sex partners, and having a female steady sex partner. A larger male sexual network size, having been married, being more knowledgeable about HIV, having 6 or more lifetime male anal sex partners, and having steady male or female sex partners were independently associated with having unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: Significant associations were found between network characteristics and syphilis infection and unprotected sex. Network-based interventions should be developed to reduce this HIV risk among MSM in China.
Authors: Joseph D Tucker; Sarah J Hawkes; Yue-Pin Yin; Rosanna W Peeling; Myron S Cohen; Xiang-Sheng Chen Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2010-06 Impact factor: 9.408
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Authors: Zheng Li; Huamian Wei; Yi Feng; Jia Li; Marcia L Kalish; Hongyan Lu; Lu Yin; Lingjie Liao; Han-Zhu Qian; Simon D W Frost; Yuhua Ruan; Sten H Vermund; Yiming Shao; Hui Xing Journal: AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses Date: 2015-01-08 Impact factor: 2.205
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