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This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and risk factors associated with casual sexual behavior among sexually active college students and to contribute to AIDS prevention and control efforts among this demographic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a stratified cluster sampling technique. Self-reported sexually active college students were selected as respondents from 11 cities in Zhejiang Province from October 8 to November 30, 2018. A questionnaire was used to collect variables such as demographic information, sexual attitudes, intervention acceptance, and self-efficacy of condom use. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Among 3,771 college students who reported engaging in sexual activity, 675 (17.90%) reported engaging in casual sexual encounters. The multivariate analysis revealed multiple factors associated with casual sexual behavior among students: being male, originating from a city/town, having pursued HIV testing education in the last year, seeking HIV risk self-assessment within the last year, accepting to engage in one-night stand behavior, accepting to partake in commercial sexual activity, having conducted HIV antibody tests within the last year, homosexual partner or homosexual/heterosexual partner, demonstrating self-efficacy in condom usage, and monthly living expenses falling within the range of 1001–1500 yuan. Additionally, students with knowledge that appearance does not determine HIV infection, a proclivity for seeking HIV counseling and testing following high-risk sexual behavior and awareness that the centers for disease control provides HIV diagnosis were found to have significant associations with casual sexual activity. Casual sex is significantly prevalent among college students, with male, students from urban areas, those who accepted to engage in one-night stand behavior and partook in commercial sexual activity demonstrating a higher propensity for such behavior. This tendency can be attributed to several factors including a more liberal sexual attitude, a rudimentary understanding of HIV risk, and a low adoption rate of HIV testing. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance HIV prevention and education among college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) to treat recurrent miscarriage involves receipt of lymphocytes to a patient from a donor, usually the patient's male partner. Although the European Society of Human Reproduction and [...]

Abstract Background To explore any association between the timing of the initiation of sexual activity and sexual behaviors and risks among university students in China. Methods Data were derived from a cross-sectional study on sexual behavior among university students conducted in Ningbo municipality, China, at the end of 2003. Students completed a self-administered, structured questionnaire. Of 1981 sexually active male students, 1908 (96.3%) completed the item for timing of the initiation of sexual activity and were included in bivariate trend analyses and multiple logistic regression analyses to compare the association between this timing and sexual behavior and risks. Results Male early sexual initiators had a significantly higher risk profile, including a significantly higher proportion reporting non-regular partners (i.e., casual or commercial partners), multiple partners, diagnosis with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), partner history of pregnancy, partner history of induced abortion, and less condom and oral contraceptive use, compared with late initiators. Multivariate analyses confirmed the increased likelihood of these risks in early initiators versus late initiators, other than partner type during the last year. Conclusion Our results showed that, compared to late initiators, people who initiated sexual activity early engaged in more risky behaviors that could lead to elevated risks of unwanted pregnancies and STDs or human immunodeficiency virus infection. Sex-education strategies should be focused on an earlier age, should include advice on delaying the age of first sexual activity, and should target young people who continue to take sexual risks.

Abstract Background The risks for Chinese male university students who have sex with other men (MSM) have not been compared with those for non-MSM students. This information is important for the development of targeted HIV prevention programmes for this population. Methods Sexually active MSM and non-MSM students were compared for demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour, and related psychosocial variables using bivariate analyses. The data were a subset drawn from a large-scale cross-sectional questionnaire survey of sexually active male students conducted at two universities in a large city in Zhejiang Province, China, in 2003. Results Of 1824 sexually active male students, 68 (3.7%) reported having had sex with a man at least once; 33.8% of these 68 men had also had female partners. Compared with non-MSM students, MSM students were 3–6.5 times more likely to have had sexual encounters with casual or commercial sex partners and were three times less likely to have protected sex in the past year or during their lifetime. They were three to five times more likely to have had multiple partners and 15 times more likely to have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD). In addition, the MSM students knew half as much about HIV and had less condom-decision than did non-MSM students and were two times more accepting of commercial sex. However, the MSM students were twice as aware of the risks for HIV infection. Conclusion MSM composed 3–4% of the male sexually active university student population studied and was found to be at greater risk than non-MSM students for STD/HIV infection. There is an urgent need for STD/HIV programmes in university health services that take into consideration the sexuality and psychosocial issues of MSM students.

Abstract Background The vulnerability of young people to HIV and the recent emergence of the HIV epidemic in China have made it urgent to assess and update the HIV/STD risk profile of Chinese young people. Methods A self-administered questionnaire survey with cross-sectional design was conducted among 22,493 undergraduate students in two universities in Ningbo, China. Bivariate trend analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to compare sexual behaviors and awareness between grades. Results Of respondents, 17.6% of males and 8.6% of females reported being sexually active. Condom was reported never/rarely used by 35% of sexually active students in both genders in the previous year. Pregnancy and induced abortion had each been experienced by about 10% of sexually active female students and the female partners of male students, and about 1.5% of sexually active students of both genders reported being diagnosed with an STD. Multivariate analysis revealed that students in lower grades, compared to those in higher grades, were more likely to have become sexually active before university, to have become aware of sex before high school, and to have been exposed to pornographic media before the age of 17 years, and for sexually active respondents of both genders, to have engaged in sex without using a condom. Conclusion Sexual behaviors of Chinese university students are poorly protected and sexual behaviors and awareness may have been undergoing rapid change, becoming active earlier and more risky. If this trend continues, vulnerable sexual network will grow among them that allow more expansion of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.

On January 25, 2017, a physician from ZC Hospital in Hangzhou, China, reported to the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention that a potential HIV outbreak might have occurred during lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) performed at the hospital on December 30, 2016. We immediately began investigating and identified the index case-patient as an LIT patient's husband who donated lymphocytes for his wife's LIT and later screened HIV-reactive. Subsequent contamination by a technician resulted in the potential exposure of 34 LIT patients. Acute HIV infection was diagnosed in 5 persons. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the HIV-1 gag, pol, and env gene sequences from the index and outbreak-related cases had >99.5% similarity. Rapid investigation and implementation of effective control measures successfully controlled the outbreak. This incident provides evidence of a lapse in infection control causing HIV transmission, highlighting the need for stronger measures to protect patients from infectious disease exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated condom use among female sex workers (FSWs) at hair salons during commercial sexual interactions over 1 month. We explored the associations of such use with various sexual behaviours, HIV/STI risk perception and related knowledge, self-efficacy regarding condom use, exposure to behavioural interventions, and other factors. This type of information has not been reported in China and is critical for designing and modifying programs aimed at preventing HIV/STI transmission in this group of FSWs and their clients.Methods: Our data were derived from a large cross-sectional study conducted among low-tier FSWs in 21 counties within Zhejiang province, China. Data were collected from September to November 2013.Bivariable and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with self-reported consistent condom use among FSWs working at hair salons.Results: Of 1682 FSWs working at hair salons, 50.5% consistently used condom with clients during the previous month. Multivariable analysis revealed that condom use for commercial sex, consistent vaginal douching after commercial sex, adopting contraceptive measures, high scores on perceived self-efficacy regarding condom use, and exposure to interventions were associated with self-reported consistent condom use; early initiation of commercial sex, experiences with oral sex, rarely/sometimes/often using oral contraceptives, and having seen a doctor were associated with not using condoms.Conclusions: Commercial sex is not effectively protected, and behavioural interventions targeting FSWs should take into account the various factors that are correlated to condom use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The high and continually increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China underscores the critical importance of examining the exact sexual networks that result in HIV transmission, as well as HIV infection, using powerful sampling methods, such as respondent-driven sampling (RDS), to improve the sexual health of this population.Methods: Using RDS, a cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, China from December 2013 to June 2014. The type of sex, numbers of anal sex partners, male oral sex partners and vaginal sex partners, condom use during each type of sex over the previous 6 months, prevention behaviors, risk perception, and the burdens of HIV and syphilis were investigated and analyzed.Results: Of 424 MSM, a great number of them did anal sex, male oral sex, and vaginal sex during the previous 6 months, and weighted estimates for the prevalence that MSM did not conduct these sexual behaviors were 11.2 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] =6.7-16.50 %), 20.3 % (95 % CI = 15.2-27.1 %), and 58.9 % (95 % CI = 52.1-65.8 %), respectively. Multiple sexual partners, engaging in regular, casual and commercial sex, and lack of condom use during all types of sex were common among MSM. The estimated HIV and syphilis prevalences were 22.8 % (95 % CI = 16.9-28.5 %) and 9.7 % (95 % CI = 6.4-13.6 %), respectively. Of the participants, 53.5 % (95 % CI = 45.3-60.2 %) received HIV-related interventions during the previous year, 48.1 % (95 % CI = 39.7-55.1 %) had never been tested for HIV, and only 14.1 % (95 % CI =10.1-19.2 %) perceived a risk of contracting HIV. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age over 44 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.60, 95 % CI = 1.34-9.64), a monthly income of 3001-4000 yuan (approximately 470-630 US$) (AOR = 1.96, 95 % CI = 1.67-3.60), multiple anal sex partners (AOR = 1.93, 95 % CI = 1.15-3.24), awareness of the possibility of contracting HIV (AOR = 3.18, 95 % CI = 1.56-6.48), and current syphilis infection (AOR = 3.01, 95 % CI = 1.44-6.29) were predictors of HIV infection.Conclusions: HIV transmission has become highly prevalent and will likely become more prevalent among MSM and their female partners if these risky sexual networks persist. Our findings call for urgent and effective interventions to prevent the rapid transmission of HIV among MSM in Wenzhou. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) constitute a significant population of patients infected with HIV. In recent years, several efforts have been made to promote HIV testing among MSM in China., Objective: This study aimed to assess HIV testing coverage and factors associated with first-time HIV testing among MSM to provide a scientific basis for achieving the goal of diagnosing 95% of patients infected with HIV by 2030., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2023 and December 2023. MSM were recruited from the "Sunshine Test," an internet platform that uses location-based services to offer free HIV testing services to MSM by visiting the WeChat official account in Zhejiang Province, China. Participants were required to complete a questionnaire on their demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, substance use, and HIV testing history. A logistic regression model was used to analyze first-time HIV testing and its associated factors., Results: A total of 7629 MSM participated in the study, with 87.1% (6647) having undergone HIV testing before and 12.9% (982) undergoing HIV testing for the first time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that first-time HIV testing was associated with younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.55, 95% CI 1.91-3.42), lower education (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.03-1.88), student status (aOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.75), low income (aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.16-2.08), insertive anal sex role (aOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05-1.56), bisexuality (aOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.40-2.03), fewer sex partners (aOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.13-1.83), use of rush poppers (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.70-2.49), unknown HIV status of sex partners (aOR 1.40, 95% CI 1.17-1.69), lack of awareness of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.03-1.88), and offline HIV testing uptake (aOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.80-2.41)., Conclusions: A notable 12.9% (982/7629) of MSM had never undergone HIV testing before this large internet survey. We recommend enhancing HIV intervention and testing through internet-based platforms and gay apps to promote testing among MSM and achieve the target of diagnosing 95% of patients infected with HIV by 2030., (©Lin He, Tingting Jiang, Wanjun Chen, Shaoqiang Jiang, Jinlei Zheng, Weiyong Chen, Hui Wang, Qiaoqin Ma, Chengliang Chai. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (https://publichealth.jmir.org), 14.06.2024.)

Objective: To identify the status and risk factors of transmission in couples which males was HIV-positive in Zhejiang province., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-serodiscordant couple (male positive) and HIV-seroconcordant couple (male first infected). A self-designed questionnaire was complimented containing basic information, the awareness of infection and HIV-testing, sexual relationship power, self-efficacy of condom use, sex. The univariated and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to analyze the influence factors., Results: A total of 263 couples were enrolled in this study, including 210 HIV HIV-serodiscordant couples and 53 HIV-seroconcordant couples. HIV-positive males aged 30-50 accounted for 57.8% (152 cases) and females under junior high school accounted for 79.1% (208 cases). HIV/AIDS accounted for 41.1% (217 cases). The proportion of man who were diagnosed as HIV, MSM and ever heard HIV were 61.9% (130 cases), 38.3% (80 cases) and 81.9% (172 cases), which were higher than that in HIV positive 47.2% (25 cases), 7.5% (4 cases), 64.2% (34 cases); χ(2)=3.80, 18.33, 7.86;P=0.051, 0.001, 0.005. The results revealed that AIDS patients had high risk to infect their spouse than HIV patients (OR=2.93, 95% CI: 1.05-8.21). Male patients who had ever heard " HIV" before were less likely pass virus to their wives than those who had never heard " HIV" (OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.41). Compared with heterosexuality man, homosexuality man' wives had high risk to get virus from their husbands (OR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.03-0.73). Female infected with STIs was the independent factors for HIV infection (OR=4.86, 95% CI: 1.23-19.11)., Conclusion: Among the couples of male HIV-positive in Zhejiang Province, the risk of spouses infected with HIV virus has relationship with male disease progression, sexual orientation and awareness of AIDS knowledge. For females who infected with sexual diseases in last 6 months might be infected by their spouses.