[HIV and syphilis infections among men who have sex with men in Chongqing municipality, China].

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence and predictors of HIV and syphilis infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chongqing municipality, China.

METHODS

Cross-sectional studies were conducted in three districts of Chongqing municipality from July to September, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Questionnaire-based interviews were conducted to provide information on demographic characteristics, behaviors on sex and drug use, and HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) related health services. Blood samples were tested for HIV and syphilis infections.

RESULTS

Of 1773 participants, 10.6% were HIV-positive and 8.4% were sero-positive for syphilis infection. Factors independently associated with HIV infection included older age (26-35 year: AOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.6; >35 years of age: AOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4-3.8), low level of education (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5-3.5), having had multiple male sex partners (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.8), venues of recruitment from bathhouses/sauna (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1-4.7), with self-reported STD symptoms in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.7) and syphilis infection (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.9).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence rates on both HIV and syphilis infections were considered to be high among MSM in Chongqing city. Unprotected anal sex and multiple sex partners were common in this group. Education, condom promotion, combination of HIV and STD screening, and treatment to the diseases are essential to this population in Chongqing. However, MSM had not hitherto been perceived to be in the epidemic mainstream in this area.