OBJECTIVETo find out the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) correlated high risk sexual behavior and knowledge in male homosexuals in Hangzhou Province.

METHODSUsing an self-designed anonymous questionnaire, 927 male homosexual were investigated anonymously in May 2003 to January 2004.

RESULTSAmong the male homosexuals surveyed, the average age of this population was (29.8 +/- 9.9) years, the average number of sexual partners per person in past one year was 7.34 +/- 5.61. Among them, 199 (21.46%) had one sexual partner, 165 (17.79%) had 2 - 5 sexual partners, and 563 (60.73%) had more than 5 sexual partners, and 179 (19.30%) also had opposite-sex sexual partner the average number of opposite-sex sexual partner of this group was 1.16 +/- 0.21. According to sexual behavior, 40.66% of them used anal sexual behavior, 62.99% used oral sex, 74.11% used masturbation and 3.66% used oral-anal touch. Among 179 male homosexuals having opposite sexual partners, the percentage of using vagina sex, anal sex, oral sex and masturbation was respectively 59.77%, 36.87%, 40.22% and 26.25%. Although their understanding level about AIDS was high, the risk rate of sexual behavior among them was also very high. Only 11.11% of male homosexuals used condom when they had anal sex with same sex, most of them rarely used or never used protection measures. When having sex with female, almost none of them used protection.

CONCLUSIONThe risk rate of sexual behaviors in male homosexuals is very high that some appropriating and effective measures for prevention should be taken.