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Hypertension is highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH). We sought to characterize the hypertension incidence among PLWH on antiretroviral therapy, focusing on the effect of change in general and abdominal obesity on hypertension during follow-up. This was a prospective analysis of 229 treated PLWH aged over 40 years without hypertension at baseline. Overall a median follow-up of 2.9 years, 26.2% PLWH developed hypertension. In multivariable models, compared to those without obesity measures at both baseline and follow-up visit, PLWH with general obesity at both occasions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.83, P = 0.006) or at baseline only (aOR = 5.45, P = 0.003), abdominal obesity (measured as waist circumference) at both occasions (aOR = 3.87, P = 0.001) or at follow-up only (aOR = 2.27; 9P = 0.060), abdominal obesity (measured as waist-to-hip ratio) at both occasions (aOR = 2.27, P = 0.077) were at increased risk of incident hypertension. Our data show that both general and abdominal obesity especially in the persistent status increase the hypertension risk in treated PLWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2009 to July 2016 to explore the occurrence and risk factors of self-reported fatigue within the first 6 months after receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) among patients living with HIV in Taizhou City of Zhejiang province, Eastern China. In total, 1163 HIV-infected patients with a median follow-up duration of 27.8 months were included in the analysis. Among them, 261 (22.4%) reported fatigue within the first 6 months after ART. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, self-reported fatigue within the first 6 months after ART was negatively associated with junior middle-school education or above, baseline CD4 cell count of 200-349 and >350 cells/μL (vs < 200 cells/μL), overweight at baseline (vs normal weight) but positively associated with ≥50 years old at initiation of ART (vs <30 years old), underweight at baseline, use of efavirenz (EFV) in the first-line regimen. Our data suggest that earlier initiation of ART and higher body mass index are preferred to restore the energy of HIV-infected patients with the EFV use in the era of ART in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the prevalence of sex with older male partner (SWOMP) and its association with condomless anal intercourse (CAI) with male partners and unrecognized HIV infection among young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shanghai, China. The analytic sample included 243 MSM who were 18-45 years and HIV negative or of unknown HIV serostatus. Older male partner refers to male sex partner who was at least 10 years older than themselves. Overall, 99 (43.0%) and 50 (20.7%) reported having SWOMP in lifetime and in the last 3 months, respectively. Having any CAI with male partners in the last 3 months was independently associated with SWOMP and sex with stable male partners in the last 3 months. Unrecognized HIV infection was independently associated with being HSV-2 positive and having any CAI with male partners as well as SWOMP in last 3 months. Sex with stable male partner in the last 3 months was also marginally significantly associated with unrecognized infection (p = 0.084). Older partner selection is common among young MSM in China. Prevention programs should incorporate education messages about the HIV risk associated with SWOMP. MSM should be informed that having condomless sex with stable partners may place them at HIV risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are the group at highest risk for HIV in China. Researchers have used various recruitment methods to reach this population hidden from the hetero-normative culture. To inform future recruitment strategies, we compared estimates of socio-demographic characteristics, HIV risk behaviors, depression, and intimate partner violence (IPV) across three samples of MSM and money boys in Shanghai, China. Data were collected from three community-based samples of MSM and money boys (n = 1352) recruited via respondent-driven sampling (RDS) (n = 404), community popular opinion leaders (CPOL) (n = 385), and Internet and venue-based sampling (VBS) (n = 546). Different recruitment methods generated samples with statistically significant differences among a number of socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, drug use, depression scores, and exposure to IPV. Specifically, RDS participants had lower education (p = .002), income levels (p < .001), and were more likely to report condomless sex with a woman (p < .001). CPOL participants were younger (p < .001), more likely to report lifetime condomless anal sex (p = .009), more than 10 male partners in the past 30 days (p < .001), and were less likely to experience violence by a male intimate partner (p = .001). VBS participants had lowest depression score (p = .005) and were more likely to report lifetime drug use (p = .003). Our findings reinforce that each recruitment method may reach a sub-group of MSM with a specific risk profile, so multiple methods may be needed to obtain a representative sample of MSM. Interventions may use specific recruitment methods to target certain segments of the MSM population. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To determine the level of antiretroviral treatment adherence and explore the correlated factors of perceived burden of taking antiretroviral medications among people living with HIV (PLH) in a rural area of China. Data were collected from 66 PLH who were currently receiving antiretroviral treatment. Face-to-face interviews were conducted during August to October, 2009. Approximately 18.2% of participants failed to adhere to antiretroviral treatment in the previous 30 days. A majority of PLH reported that taking antiretroviral medications posed a burden to them. Those who perceived a higher level of burden were more likely to be women, to have lower annual income, and to report a high level of depressive symptoms, poor physical health, and strained family interactions. Findings suggest that future programs in promoting adherence to antiretroviral treatment should address issues related to psychosocial well-being and PLH's interactions with their family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]