Chuncheng Liu1,2, Ye Zhang2,3, Stephen W Pan2,4, Bolin Cao2,5, Jason J Ong2,6, Hongyun Fu2,7, Dan Wu2,6, Rong Fu2,8, Chongyi Wei2,9, Joseph D Tucker2,6,10,11, Weiming Tang12,13,14. 1. University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. 2. University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China. 3. Kirby Institution, UNSW, Sydney, Australia. 4. Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China. 5. Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China. 6. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. 7. Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA. 8. Guangzhou CDC, Guangzhou, China. 9. Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. 10. Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University and the University of North Carolina Project-China, No.2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510095, China. 11. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. 12. Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University and the University of North Carolina Project-China, No.2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, 510095, China. weimingtangscience@gmail.com. 13. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. weimingtangscience@gmail.com. 14. Institute of Global Health and STI Research, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. weimingtangscience@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anticipated HIV stigma, i.e., the expectation of adverse experiences from one's seroconversion, is associated with both negative psychological and behavioral outcomes. We know little about anticipated HIV stigma's relationship with emerging technologies, such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) and online sex-seeking platforms, that have become popular among populations that are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. This study examined correlates of anticipated HIV stigma among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: In July 2016, MSM, who were ≥ 16 years old and self-reported as HIV negative or unknown, were recruited from a gay mobile phone application in China. Information regarding socio-demographics, sexual behaviors, sexual health service utilization, and anticipated HIV stigma were collected. Anticipated HIV stigma (i.e., negative attitude toward future stigmatization of HIV seroconversion by others) was measured as the mean score from a 7-item Likert-scale ranging from 1 (low) to 4 (high). Generalized linear models were conducted to examine the factors associated with the anticipated HIV stigma scores. RESULTS: Overall, 2006 men completed the survey. Most men completed high school (1308/2006, 65.2%) and had an annual personal income of ≤9200 USD (1431/2006, 71.3%). The mean anticipated HIV stigma score for the participants was 2.98 ± 0.64. Using social media to seek sexual partners was associated with higher anticipated HIV stigma (Adjusted β = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05 to 0.17, p = 0.001). HIV self-testing (Adjusted β = - 0.07, 95%CI: - 0.13 to - 0.01, p = 0.02) and having disclosed one's sexual orientation to a healthcare provider (Adjusted β = - 0.16, 95%CI: - 0.22 to - 0.96, p < 0.001) were associated with lower anticipated HIV stigma. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that anticipated HIV stigma is still common among Chinese MSM not living with HIV. Tailored anti-HIV stigma campaigns on social media are especially needed, and the promotion of HIVST may be a promising approach.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Anticipated HIV stigma, i.e., the expectation of adverse experiences from one's seroconversion, is associated with both negative psychological and behavioral outcomes. We know little about anticipated HIV stigma's relationship with emerging technologies, such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) and online sex-seeking platforms, that have become popular among populations that are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. This study examined correlates of anticipated HIV stigma among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: In July 2016, MSM, who were ≥ 16 years old and self-reported as HIV negative or unknown, were recruited from a gay mobile phone application in China. Information regarding socio-demographics, sexual behaviors, sexual health service utilization, and anticipated HIV stigma were collected. Anticipated HIV stigma (i.e., negative attitude toward future stigmatization of HIV seroconversion by others) was measured as the mean score from a 7-item Likert-scale ranging from 1 (low) to 4 (high). Generalized linear models were conducted to examine the factors associated with the anticipated HIV stigma scores. RESULTS: Overall, 2006 men completed the survey. Most men completed high school (1308/2006, 65.2%) and had an annual personal income of ≤9200 USD (1431/2006, 71.3%). The mean anticipated HIV stigma score for the participants was 2.98 ± 0.64. Using social media to seek sexual partners was associated with higher anticipated HIV stigma (Adjusted β = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05 to 0.17, p = 0.001). HIV self-testing (Adjusted β = - 0.07, 95%CI: - 0.13 to - 0.01, p = 0.02) and having disclosed one's sexual orientation to a healthcare provider (Adjusted β = - 0.16, 95%CI: - 0.22 to - 0.96, p < 0.001) were associated with lower anticipated HIV stigma. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that anticipated HIV stigma is still common among Chinese MSM not living with HIV. Tailored anti-HIV stigma campaigns on social media are especially needed, and the promotion of HIVST may be a promising approach.
Entities:
Keywords:
Anticipated HIV stigma; HIV self-testing; Men who have sex with men; Online sex-seeking, disclosure
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