Men are primarily responsible for the transmission of HIV because of their participation in risk-taking activities such as unsafe sex (i.e. homosexual and/or heterosexual) and drug injections. Men, particularly men having sex with other males, were identified by the DOH-HIV Serologic Surveillance as one of the subpopulations with the highest risk of acquiring HIV. This can be attributed to their behavior towards safe sex, masculinity and their partner. The main objective of this study was to conduct a formative and qualitative assessment on HIV and AIDS among MSM (men who have sex with other males) in the Philippines by identifying the constructions of their sexual identities and their sexual behaviors and risks using the following themes: social mobility; and, health seeking behaviors. Multiple methods have been utilized in this study such as environmental scoping, key informant interviews and focus group discussion sessions in four selected sites in the Philippines. A Delphi technique was also used to solicit opinion of experts in the field of medical, allied medical and social sciences. Results of this study showed that MSM is a vulnerable and susceptible sub-population group to STI, HIV and AIDS due to the complexities of understanding their own sexualities, the gap between their actual and ideal health seeking behaviors and various sexual experiences that brought about the dynamics of sexual proclivities. The study recommends a strong programmatic design for intervention among MSM to become positive agents of change in STI, HIV and AIDS education.

Human ; Male ; Heterosexuality ; Unsafe Sex ; Safe Sex ; Masculinity ; Homosexuality, Male ; Population Groups ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Philippines ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Sexual And Gender Minorities

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to survey the health behaviors related to reproductive health, reproductive health history, and sexual behaviors of college students in local areas. METHOD: With a survey design, 792 college students from C and D areas were recruited to assess health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol drinking, as well as history of reproductive health and sexual behaviors. The data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire from November to December, 2007. RESULT: Mean age of the students was 20.8(SD=1.96) and gender distribution was 29.2% for male and 70.8% for female. Unhealthy behaviors were alcohol drinking, smoking, excessive weight loss, and irregular exercise; unsafe sex practices were experience of sexual intercourse with multiple sex partners and history of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Male students had more alcohol drinking (p=.04), smoking(p<.001), excessive weight loss(p=.01), experience of sexual intercourse with multiple sex partners(p<.001), history of STD(p=.025) compared to females. On the other hands, female students participated in regular exercise less than males(p<.001). CONCLUSION: College students seem to perform unhealthy behaviors related to reproductive health and less effective way of safe sex practices. Therefore, a planned education program for reproductive health promotion operated by college level is needed to assess and improve the level of reproductive health in college students.
Alcohol Drinking ; Coitus ; Female ; Hand ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Reproductive Health ; Safe Sex ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Unsafe Sex ; Weight Loss

Objective: To understand the characteristics of new-type drug consumption, sexual behaviors and the prevalence of HIV infection among male new-type drug users in Qingdao, Shandong province. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted from 2015 to 2016. Participants were recruited from MSM community-based organizations (CBO) and general community through snowball method, relying on volunteers and male peer educators who were on new-type drugs themselves. Face-to-face interview was carried to collect information on drug use and sexual behaviors. Blood samples were collected to test HIV, syphilis and HCV antibodies. Urine samples were collected to test the evidence of new-type drugs. Qualitative variables and quantitative variables were analyzed using Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze related factors of binary variables. Results: A total of 1 034 newtype drug users were recruited, including 431 (41.7%) MSM population and 603 (58.3%) who were not MSM. Compared with the the group of people who were not MSM, people in the the MSM group were younger, unmarried and with higher level of education. The proportion of methamphetamine users were 49.7% (214/431) and 100.0% (603/603) among the groups of MSM or not MSM, respectively. People in the MSM group, 66.8% (288/431) used 5-Methoxy-N, N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeODIPT, "foxy" ) in the last six months. However, none from the not-MSM group ever used 5-MeO-DIPT. In the last six months, proportions of sharing new-type drugs with more than two people in the MSM or not groups were 87.9% (379/431) and 97.7% (588/602), respectively (χ(2)=39.84, P<0.01). Proportions of unprotected sexual behavior among the MSM or not groups were 47.5% (285/600) and 7.4% (32/430) respectively (χ(2)=190.10, P<0.01). The proportions of 'group sex' after using drugs among the two groups were 78.1% (335/429) and 5.5% (33/600) respectively (χ(2)=573.73, P<0.01). The prevalence rates of HIV, syphilis and HCV antibody positive among the MSM or not groups were 2.1% and 0.2%, 3.3% and 6.3%, 0.0% and 0.3%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of sharing new-type drugs with more than two people was high among male new-type drug users in Qingdao city. Male new-type-drug-users who were MSM, presented both high prevalence of group sex and HIV infection, and with less condom use. Intervention measures towards this sub-population should be strengthened.
Community-Based Participatory Research ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drug Users/statistics & numerical data* ; HIV Infections/transmission* ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Male ; Methamphetamine/adverse effects* ; Prevalence ; Risk-Taking ; Safe Sex ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syphilis/epidemiology* ; Unsafe Sex

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of emergency contraceptive pill on adolescent sexuality and contraceptive behaviors through a meta - analysis of intervention studies on advance provision of emergency contraceptives. This study aimed to provide objective data on the transition of general medicines to be discussed in relation to the reclassification of emergency contraceptive pills. METHODS: Using electronic database, 1,820 studies written in Korean or English without limitation of the year were reviewed and for analysis, 5 studies were selected, in which emergency contraceptives were provided to adolescents. RESULTS: The advance provision of emergency contraceptives has increased their use and shortened the time it takes to take contraceptive pills after unprotected sex. There was no change in the frequency of engaging in sexual intercourse and unprotected sex or in existing contraceptive behavior, pregnancy rates decreased, but there was no increase in sexually transmitted infection. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide objective grounds for the reclassification of emergency contraceptive pills and propose effective interventional programs on contraceptive education, such as on efficacy and side effects of the contraceptive drug and its proper use among the youth who engage in sexual activity, to improve their reproductive health.
Adolescent* ; Coitus ; Contraception Behavior ; Contraceptives, Postcoital* ; Education ; Emergencies* ; Humans ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Health ; Sexual Behavior* ; Sexuality ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Unsafe Sex

OBJECTIVE: To survey on men who have sex with men (MSM) population's sexual behaviors, condom-service condition, HIV related knowledge and other issues among MSM population at sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics to understand the characteristics of behaviors and offer suggestions for effective health education and behavior intervention. METHODS: From January to December, 2009, we used anonymous questionnaires which involved in their mastery of demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, condom-service condition, HIV related knowledge, and so one, to investigate 200 MSM at 3 STD clinics of comprehensive hospital. RESULTS: The average age of informant was (26.7+/- 8.9) years and 121 individuals (62.6%) had confirmed with STD in recent one year. In the recent 6 months, the average number of homosexual partners was 9.2+/- 4.8 and 102 (52.8%) had heterosexual partners. In the sexual intercourse with homosexual, 123 individuals had anal intercourse (63.7 %) and 117 had oral intercourse (60.6%). In the sexual intercourse with heterosexual, 92 (90.2%) individuals had vaginal intercourse, 37 (36.2%) had anal intercourse, and 59 (57.8%) had oral sex behavior.There were a statistical difference between heterosexual and homosexual sex behaviors (P<0.01). The condom-using frequency had statistic difference in different sexual behaviors(χ²=188.396, P<0.001). There was no linear correlation between HIV related knowledge and condom-using condition in sexual behaviors except the heterosexual anal intercourse. CONCLUSION High AIDS knowledge mastery rate is found in our survey. The respondents get HIV/AIDS knowledge through various ways actively. There is no obvious relation between the mastery of HIV related knowledge and condom-using frequency. The ratio of non-protected sexual behaviors is high in heterosexuals. How to adopt effective methods for behavior intervention to MSM at STD clinic needs to be further studied.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Condoms ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Safe Sex ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate the status of multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual behaviors and related influencing factors among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM).

METHODSHIV-positive men having sex with men aged 18 years or older, living in Chengdu, Chongqing or Guangzhou were recruited by using the " snowballing" sampling method. Participants completed the questionnaire on computers, after filling in the Informed Consent Form. Content of the study would include social demographic characteristics, number of sexual partners, sexual behaviors, and the symptoms assessment on depression and anxiety.χ(2)-test,t-test and non-conditional Multiple logistic Regression methods were used to examine the risky sexual behaviors with multiple sexual partners among the participants engaged in this project.

RESULTSMean age of the 501 participants was (30.24±7.70) years old. In the past 6 months, 17.4% (87/501) of them had engaged in unprotected sexual behavior with two or more sexual partners. Factors at risk would include: being married (OR=1.93, 95%CI: 0.77-4.84), divorced or widowed (OR=3.94, 95%CI: 1.66-9.36), having primary male sexual partners (OR=5.04, 95%CI: 1.08-23.54) and casual or commercial male sexual partners (OR=2.54, 95%CI: 1.34-4.80) in the past 6 months, drinking alcohol (OR=3.00, 95%CI: 1.37-6.62) or Rush (alkyl nitrite) (OR=3.53, 95%CI: 1.72-7.23) during sexual acts, sharing their HIV-infection status to their partly primary male sexual partners (OR=1.84, 95%CI:0.78-4.33) or not (OR=2.68, 95% CI: 1.25-5.73), and having high sexual sensation seeking scores (OR=1.09, 95%CI: 1.03-1.15).

CONCLUSIONSUnprotected sexual behaviors with multiple sexual partners among HIV-positive MSM played an important role in expediting the HIV transmission. Development of intervention programs to minimize the risk sexual behaviors and setting up efficient medical and biological measures in controlling the HIV transmission were in urgent need.

Adult ; Coitus ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Family Characteristics ; Homosexuality, Male ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Infection ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Male ; Marriage ; Middle Aged ; Risk ; Risk-Taking ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Unsafe Sex ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo understand the change trend of the awareness rate of HIV/AIDS related knowledge, risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Yunnan and the factors influencing their condom use, and evaluate the effect of comprehensive intervention.

METHODSThe data about the MSM's demographic information, HIV/AIDS related knowledge awareness, and sex behavior, condom use, drug use and intervention receiving were obtained from AIDS sentinel surveillance among MSM in Yunnan province during 2010-2013 to conduct change trend and influencing factor analysis.

RESULTSA total of 9 073 MSM were surveyed. The awareness rate of the HIV/AIDS related knowledge, homosexual behavior and condom use rate increased year by year (P < 0.01). The condom use rate was lower in heterosexual behavior, and the drug use rate and sexually transmitted disease prevalence declined with year (P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that cohabiting, low awareness of HIV/AIDS related knowledge, being from other provinces, local residence for <1 year, low education level, receiving no intervention, frequent anal sex and receiving no HIV/AIDS detection were the risk factors influencing persistent condom use among MSM.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of HIV/AIDS comprehensive intervention was observed after 4 years implantation, but most of the index were at low level. More attention should be paid to the intervention among MSM with cohabiting habit, low education level, frequent anal sex, and heterosexual sex. It is necessary to expand intervention coverage, strengthen HIV test and promote condom use among MSM.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Communicable Diseases ; Data Collection ; HIV Infections ; Habits ; Heterosexuality ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Risk-Taking ; Safe Sex ; Sentinel Surveillance ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Objective: To identify related factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in the context of knowing their HIV infection status. Methods: HIV positive MSM who known that they had been infected with HIV for more than 6 months and accepted follow up services were recruited by convenience sampling method in Chengdu 2015. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect their information, such as demographic characteristics, antiviral therapy and sexual behavior characteristics etc. Logistic regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 330 HIV- positive MSM were recruited, 201 eligible MSM were interviewed. The prevalence of UAI in recent six months was 18.41% (37/201). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of anal intercourse with male ≥3 in last month (OR=6.22, 95%CI: 1.88-20.56), low education level (OR=7.29, 95%CI: 1.36-39.16), married, divorced or widowed status (OR=4.65, 95%CI: 1.13-19.17), homosexual cohabitation (OR=3.32, 95%CI: 1.01-10.95) were the risk factors related with UAI among the HIV-positive MSM. Conclusion: Frequent homosexual anal intercourse, low education level, married, divorced or widowed status and homosexual cohabitation might be the risk factors related with UAI in HIV-positive MSM in Chengdu.
HIV ; HIV Infections/transmission* ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Risk-Taking ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Sexual and Gender Minorities ; Unsafe Sex

OBJECTIVETo understand the syphilis infection and its high risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited from different channels.

METHODSSupported by the China-Gates Foundation HIV program from July to December 2011, we cooperated with community based organizations to conduct syphilis testing intervention among MSM from 14 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Harbin, Shenyang, Qingdao, Xi'an, Nanjing, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Changsha, Kunming, and Guangzhou) and one province (Hainan province). Participants were recruited from different channels by the staff of local CBOs, Demographic (e.g. age, marital status, and education) and behavioral (e.g. condom use and sexual partners) data were collected using anonymous questionnaires. Blood samples were also collected to test for syphilis. A total of 34 100 MSM participated in the survey. Participants were excluded from data analysis (1 399, 4.1%) if they did not receive syphilis tests or they completed less than 80.00% of the key questions in the survey. Chi-square tests were used to understand the socio-demographic and behavioral differences between each group. Results of syphilis tests were also compared. Logistic regression models were used to test the statistical significance of these differences.

RESULTSA total of 32 701 MSM were enrolled and received syphilis testing. The average age of participates was 30.96 ± 9.57. And among them, 2 284 cases (7.0%) were recruited from gay bathhouses, 4 774 (14.6%) from gay bars, 6 266 (19.2%) from the internet, 1 997 (6.1%) from the parks/toilets and 17 380 (53.1%) from other channels. MSM recruited from the bathhouses had the highest syphilis infection rate than other 4 groups: gaybars (4.5%, 216/4 774), internet (6.7%, 422/6 266), parks/toilets (8.3%, 166/1 997), other channels (6.4%, 1 103/17 380) (χ² = 164.58, P < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being > 20 years of age (P < 0.001), having more than 2 homosexual partners in recent 3 months (8.0% (1 408/17 714), OR (95% CI) = 1.44 (1.04-1.98)), having no sex with females in past 3 months (6.8% (1 446/21 276), OR (95% CI) = 1.25 (1.07-1.46)), and not using condom at last anal sex (8.0% (769/9 668), OR (95% CI) = 1.13 (1.03-1.25)) were associated with a higher probability of being infected with syphilis. Whereas MSM married (7.2% (456/6 305), OR (95% CI) = 0.84 (0.73-0.98)), having a college or a higher education (5.3% (829/15 684), OR (95% CI) = 0.60 (0.53-0.67)), being local residents (6.5% (1 843/28 185), OR (95% CI) = 0.73 (0.61-0.87)) and living in the local province of project cities (6.6% (170/2 593), OR (95% CI) = 0.67 (0.53-0.85)) were protective factors.

CONCLUSIONMSM who were recruited from gay bathhouses have a higher rate of syphilis infection than those in channels relatively. They are older, with low education levels and high-risk sexual behaviors. Tailored interventions are required in the future, especially for MSM from gay bathhouses.

Adult ; China ; Condoms ; Demography ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Safe Sex ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syphilis ; Universities

OBJECTIVETo understand the time and area specific prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis, sexual behaviors and awareness of HIV/AIDS related knowledge among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the mainland of China during 2010-2013.

METHODSAll the published academic papers on the prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis among MSM in the mainland of China from 2010 to 2013 were collected from CNKI, Wanfang and PubMed databases. Meta-analysis was performed by using software Stata 12.0.

RESULTSSixty six papers were selected. From 2010 to 2013 the pooled prevalence of HIV infection were 7.7% among the MSM (95% CI: 7.2%-8.3% ) and increased year by year, but the pooled prevalence of HIV infection was highest in southwestern China (12.0%). The pooled prevalence of syphilis were 10.9% among the MSM (95% CI: 9.8%-12.1%), and the pooled prevalence of syphilis was highest in southern China (14.4%). The incidence of anal sex was high (84.2%) in the past 6 months, but the consistent condom use rate was low (44.8%). The AIDS related knowledge awareness was high in the MSM (88.4%).

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis were high among the MSM in the mainland of China during 2010-2013. It is necessary to explore the comprehensive intervention measures to promote condom use among MSM although they have high awareness of AIDS related knowledge.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; China ; epidemiology ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Prevalence ; Safe Sex ; Sexual Behavior ; Syphilis ; epidemiology