HIV/STD prevalence among men who have sex with men in Chengdu, China and associated risk factors for HIV infection.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of HIV and selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chengdu, China, and the risk factors associated with HIV infection.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using a snowball sampling method was conducted from March to July 2007. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about sexual history, high-risk behaviors, STD infection history, HIV knowledge and testing, and an assessment of depression. Blood samples were taken for antibody testing for HIV, herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), and syphilis.

Results: A total of 538 MSM were recruited, and 513 (95.4%) consented to complete the questionnaire. HIV, HSV-2, and syphilis prevalence were 9.1%, 24.7%, and 28.1%, respectively. The rate of consistent condom use was low and varied by types of sexual partners. The highest was with casual male partners (38.6%), and the lowest was with wife or girl friend (17.8%). Money boys were 6 times more likely to be infected with HIV compared with clerks/students. Infection with either HSV or syphilis increased the risk of HIV infection more than 4-fold.

Conclusions: The prevalences of HIV and STDs were high among MSM in Chengdu. To prevent HIV/STDs, campaigns promoting condom use are needed not only to boost the frequency of condom use but also to educate MSM about proper condom use.