OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the sexual behaviors of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangzhou in 2010.

METHODSAnti-HIV antibody was detected in the volunteers undergoing HIV tests in the year 2010, and the differences in the sexual role, education, use of condom and complicated infection of syphilis were analyzed among these subjects.

RESULTSA total of 1526 MSM volunteered to participate in the investigation, among whom 87 (5.70%) were confirmed to have HIV infection. The positivity rate of HIV infection was 3.54%, 7.14% and 6.70% in subjects reporting active anal copulation, passive anal copulation, and both, respectively, showing a significant difference in respect of the sexual role (χ(2)=6.450, P=0.040). The positivity rate also differed significantly among married, unmarried and divorced subjects (9.45%, 4.92%, and 4.17%, respectively; χ(2)=7.184, P=0.028). The positivity rate was 21.31% among those with syphilis, significantly higher than the rate in those without syphilis (5.06%, χ(2)=25.770, P<0.001). Use of condom was not associated with a significant reduction of HIV positivity rate (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe high anti-HIV positivity rate among MSM in Guangzhou indicates a high risk of unsafe sexual behaviors, especially anal copulations. The anal copulation receivers, often young and have a lower rate of condom use, constitute a high-risk group of HIV transmission.