1. HIV Testing Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China: Implications for Promoting HIV Self-Testing Among Key Populations.
- Author
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Hong, Chenglin, Yu, Fei, Xue, Hui, Zhang, Dapeng, and Mi, Guodong
- Subjects
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PREVENTION of sexually transmitted diseases , *DIAGNOSIS of HIV infections , *HIV prevention , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *HEALTH services accessibility , *SOCIAL networks , *HUMAN sexuality , *POINT-of-care testing , *MEDICAL screening , *AIDS serodiagnosis , *PSYCHOLOGY of gay people , *SURVEYS , *COMPARATIVE studies , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *SEX customs , *MEN who have sex with men , *SEXUAL partners , *ODDS ratio , *COVID-19 pandemic , *PATIENT self-monitoring , *BISEXUAL people , *HEALTH promotion - Abstract
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]
- Published
- 2022
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