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HIV self-testing (HIVST) is recommended as a promising way to increase HIV testing uptake among MSM. MSM sometimes used HIVST kits together with their sexual partners or friends. However, limited data was reported on MSM's testing together behaviors with sexual partners and non-sexual contacts. Data were collected among MSM in China from June 2018 to June 2019. Eligible participants (referred to as "index participants") finished a baseline survey and applied for HIVST kits. They were encouraged to distribute the kits to other people (referred to as "alters"). Index participants finished a 3-month follow-up survey on the distribution and usage of the kits. Alters finished an online survey on the usage of HIVST kits after they returned the photographed testing results. Results were reported based on index participants and alters, respectively. Based on follow-up data, 138 index participants successfully motivated others for HIVST, most of them (77.5%) tested together with at least one alter. Around half of alters (52.3%) reported testing together with index participants. Index participants distributed more HIVST kits to friends than sexual partners. MSM who had ever tested for HIV were more likely to test together. Our study demonstrated that the testing together behaviors during HIVST distribution among sexual partners and social network contacts were common. The social network-based approach is essential in promoting testing together and HIV status disclosure among MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional barriers to accessing sexual health services among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in China. Yet, little is known about the frequency of HIV testing and how GBMSM get tested during the pandemic. We surveyed an online sample of GBMSM recruited on a gay networking app in China. Among 956 sexually active, 70.1% had received an HIV test in the past 6 months. Among these, 61.0% reported having undergone HIV self-testing (HIVST). Young GBMSM aged 18–24 years old were more likely to receive a recent HIV test, and the number of sexual partners was associated with recent HIV testing [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.20]. Among those who had a recent HIV test, young GBMSM and those who had anal sex with both main partner and casual partners were more likely to utilize HIVST (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.16–2.84), as well as GBMSM who did not use a condom the last time engaged in anal sex (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.06–2.34). Among GBMSM never tested for HIV, a majority perceived low risk of HIV, while some suggested that they did not know where to get tested or they were scared of finding out they had HIV. HIVST has the potential to fill the gap in HIV testing among Chinese GBMSM, and future HIV testing programs should emphasize HIV education, accurate information dissertation, and timely point-to-care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Accumulating evidence suggests that there may be differences in sexual behaviors, condom use, and HIV prevention service utilization (e.g., HIV testing, PrEP use) between gay and bisexual men, but this remains under-explored, especially among gay and bisexual men in China. Methods: We surveyed 4,142 gay and bisexual men on a geosocial networking app in China. Results: In adjusted model, bisexual men were less likely to have received HIV testing in their lifetime (AOR =.62, 95% CI [.53,.72]) or to have received a recent HIV test (AOR =.78, 95% CI [.68,.90]). Conversely, among those who reported having had anal sex in the past six months, bisexual men were more likely to report consistent condom use than gay men (OR = 1.38, 95% CI [1.17, 1.62]). Compared with gay men, bisexual men were significantly less likely to be aware of PrEP (AOR =.62, 95% CI [.52,.74]) and significantly less willing to use PrEP (AOR =.58, 95% CI [.46,.73]). Conclusions: Tailored HIV prevention interventions are needed to address bisexual men's needs in the context of the unique sociocultural influences on sexual behavior in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers an opportunity to increase HIV testing among people not reached by facility-based services. However, the promotion of HIVST is limited as a consequence of insufficient community engagement. We built a social entrepreneurship testing (SET) model to promote HIVST linkage to care among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangzhou. Methods The SET model includes a few key steps. Each participant first completed an online survey, and paid a US$23 (refundable) deposit to receive an HIVST kit and a syphilis self-testing (SST) kit. After the testing, the results were sent to the platform by the participants and interpreted by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staff. Meanwhile, the deposit was returned to each participant. Finally, the Community based organizations (CBO) contacted the participants to provide counselling services, confirmation testing and linkage to care. Results During April June 2015, a total of 198 MSM completed a preliminary survey and purchased selftesting kits. The majority were aged < 34 years (84.4%) and met partners online (93.1%). In addition, 68.9% of participants had ever been tested for HIV, and 19.5% had ever performed HIVST. Overall, feedback was received from 192 participants (97.0%). Of these participants, 14 people did not use the kits; among those who did use the kits, the HIV and syphilis prevalences were 4.5% (eight of 178) and 3.7% (six of 178), respectively. All of the screened HIV-positive individuals sought further confirmation testing and were linked to care. Conclusions Using an online SET model to promote HIV and syphilis self-testing among Chinese MSM is acceptable and feasible, and this model adds a new testing platform to the current testing service system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]