Search

Introduction: In China, young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are one of the groups most at risk of HIV/AIDS. The uptake of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among YMSM has not been well documented. A cascade analysis of awareness, willingness, use and adherence with regard to PrEP was conducted separately among YMSM students and non‐students. Methods: From 20 October to 30 December 2021, all adolescents aged 16–24 years were selected for the study from among MSM recruited from 31 provincial administrative regions in mainland China. Participants were included in a cross‐sectional study of awareness, willingness, use and adherence with regard to PrEP among YMSM. Logistic regression modelling was used to identify factors associated with the four outcomes. Results: Among 1014 student and 866 non‐student YMSMs, respectively, 88.07% and 81.64% had heard of PrEP; 58.16% and 50.35% were willing to use PrEP; 7.59% and 7.62% had used PrEP; and 3.16% and 3.58% had adhered to PrEP. Among students, those living in high‐risk areas and pilot cities and those who had engaged in commercial sex and group sex had a positive effect on PrEP use, and the same trends were found among non‐students living in high‐risk areas and pilot cities and those who had engaged in group sex. 'Daily oral' and 'flexible' PrEP use positively influenced adherence among both groups. Conclusions: A differentiation strategy of PrEP promotion should be implemented among YMSM. Material support for students, such as financial resources, should increase, while non‐students should increase their level of perception of HIV risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV prevalence among Chinese men who have sex with men has rapidly increased in recent years. In this randomized, controlled study, we tested the feasibility and efficacy of motivational interviewing to reduce high-risk sexual behaviors among this population in Changsha, China. Eighty men who have sex with men were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, in which participants received a three-session motivational interviewing intervention over 4 weeks, or the control group, in which participants received usual counseling from peer educators. High-risk behavior indicators and HIV knowledge level were evaluated at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. Motivational interviewing significantly improved consistent anal condom use. However, there was no significant change in consistent condom use for oral sex or in the number of sexual partners over time. HIV knowledge scores improved equally in both groups. This study demonstrated that an intervention using motivational interviewing is feasible and results in increased condom use during anal sex for Chinese men who have sex with men. However, further work must be done to increase the use of condoms during oral sexual encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]